Lawyer Moves to Court to Stop UDA Political Meetings at State House

A Nairobi-based lawyer has asked the High Court to bar President William Ruto and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) from holding political meetings at State House and State lodges.

In a petition filed before the court, Mr Lempaa Suiyanka argues that State House is a constitutionally protected public institution that is fully funded by taxpayers and should not be used for partisan political activities. He contends that allowing the ruling party to conduct meetings at the presidential residence amounts to the misuse of public resources.

Mr Suiyanka states that UDA has held party caucuses, aspirants’ forums and organisational meetings at State House, activities he describes as political rather than official state functions. He argues that this practice provides the party with an unfair advantage and effectively amounts to an undeclared public donation, contrary to constitutional principles of fairness and equality in political competition.

According to the petition, the use of State House for party activities blurs the distinction between the state and a political party, undermining the presidency’s constitutional role as a unifying national office. Mr Suiyanka maintains that public facilities, personnel and security services should not be deployed to advance partisan interests.

The lawyer cites several meetings allegedly held at State House in 2025 and 2026, including engagements with regional delegations from Gusii, Kiambu, Ukambani and Western Kenya. He also points to UDA’s National Governing Council meeting in January 2026 and the party’s inaugural aspirants’ forum in February, which he says involved party officials and aspiring candidates rather than state officials conducting official duties.

He argues that these meetings were facilitated by public officers and supported by public funds, yet no evidence has been provided to show that UDA reimbursed the costs. He claims the expenditure related to catering, transport, security and logistics does not appear in the national budget, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

Mr Suiyanka is seeking conservatory orders to prevent the use of public funds, staff and resources for political purposes at State House and State lodges. He has also asked the court to compel the Comptroller of State House to preserve records linked to the meetings, including visitor logs, security deployment details, transport arrangements, catering services and related communications.

The petition argues that continued use of State House as a venue for party activities risks normalising the misuse of public resources and weakening constitutional safeguards governing public institutions.