Lawyer challenges use of State House for UDA activities
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Is the ruling party turning State House into a party office?
A lawyer has personally served a petition at State House, challenging the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) use of the government seat as its political headquarters.
Soyinka Lempaa said that the service was conducted peacefully, despite initial concerns that his team could face intimidation.
“I first delivered hard copies at UDA headquarters along Ngong Road. Afterwards, I proceeded to Gate A of State House and was directed to Gate D to present the petition and court order,” Mr Lempaa said.
At Gate D, he met a courteous officer, Alpha Juliet, and another official who instructed him to serve the Attorney General on behalf of the State House Comptroller, Metitio Ole Katoo, as well as President William Ruto.
Mr Lempaa noted that the Attorney General had already been served at 9:50am.
Through the petition, Mr Lempaa is asking the court to declare UDA’s use of State House for partisan political activities unconstitutional.
He argues that such use violates Article 201 of the Constitution and amounts to the imprudent use of public resources for political purposes.
The matter is expected to draw attention to the fine line between government property and political party activities, with potential implications for the conduct of ruling parties in office.
According to court filings, one of the earliest events cited was the Special National Governing Council (NGC) meeting held on January 26, 2026, at State House, Nairobi.
At that meeting, President William Ruto, who also leads UDA, chaired a gathering of elected and nominated party leaders from across the country, including governors, senators, members of the National Assembly and county representatives.
The petition alleges this was a party organisational forum, not an official state function.
Shortly thereafter, on February 4, 2026, UDA held its inaugural Aspirants Forum at State House, bringing together thousands of party aspirants and officials preparing for the nomination process ahead of future elections.
The petition specifically references a Facebook post by the President saying that over 12,000 UDA aspirants attended the event, including hundreds vying for governor, senate, women representative and county assembly positions.
The petitioner argues that these gatherings were political party activities hosted at the presidential residence, involving party officials, aspirants and supporters acting in political capacities rather than fulfilling state functions.
He also notes that earlier reports and filings list additional meetings at State House between April 2025 and early 2026, including engagements with leaders from regions such as Gusii, Kiambu, Ukambani and Western Kenya, allegedly facilitated using State House facilities, security, staff, logistics and communications infrastructure funded by public resources.
The petition contends that no public disclosure has been made to show that UDA reimbursed the government for costs incurred during these events, as would be required under constitutional norms and public finance laws.
It argues that allowing a political party to use State House in this way undermines the neutrality of public institutions, unfairly advantages the ruling party, and violates key constitutional provisions on the separation of the state and political organisations.
The High Court has declined to issue interim orders to halt political meetings at the presidential residence, but the matter will proceed on its merits.
