Petition Filed to Declare Use of State House for Political Activities Illegal
A constitutional petition has been filed at the High Court seeking to bar the use of State House and State Lodges for partisan political activities, in a case that raises fresh questions about the separation between State resources and political party interests in Kenya.
The petition was lodged by advocate Lempaa Soyinka, who argues that President William Ruto has repeatedly used State House facilities to advance the political agenda of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), contrary to constitutional provisions governing the use of public property. According to the lawyer, State House is intended strictly for official State functions, ceremonial duties and administrative government meetings, not party-related engagements.
In his court filings, Soyinka contends that UDA, as a registered political party, is a private legal entity and should not benefit from public facilities without payment or reimbursement to the government. He argues that continued use of State House for party meetings amounts to an unlawful deployment of public resources for partisan gain.
“State House and State Lodges are constitutionally protected national institutions established for official State functions,” the petition states. “They are maintained exclusively through public funds appropriated by Parliament and are administered by public officers accountable under the Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act, and related statutes.”
The advocate claims that despite several UDA-linked meetings being hosted at State House, there has been no public disclosure showing that the ruling party paid for or reimbursed the costs incurred. These costs, he argues, include security, staff services, logistics, catering and the use of State communication infrastructure.
Among the events cited in the petition are meetings held by President Ruto at State House with leaders from Gusii, Kiambu, Ukambani, Murang’a, Western Kenya and Meru regions, most of which reportedly took place in 2025. Soyinka maintains that these gatherings were political in nature and aimed at consolidating support for UDA rather than addressing official government business.
The respondents named in the petition include the Attorney General, the Controller of State House, the United Democratic Alliance and President Ruto himself. The petitioner argues that allowing a political party to operate from State House gives it an unfair advantage over other parties and undermines the principle of political neutrality in the use of State resources.
“UDA is a registered political party and a private legal entity within the meaning of the Political Parties Act,” the petition reads. “It is already a beneficiary of public funding through the Political Parties Fund and operates its own offices, structures and facilities for party purposes.”
“At no time has there been any public disclosure that the 3rd Respondent paid for, reimbursed, or otherwise lawfully met the costs associated with the use of State House for these partisan activities,” he adds.
The petition warns that failure by the High Court to intervene could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging the continued misuse of public resources and blurring the constitutional boundaries between the State and political parties.
“Permitting political party activities at State House means public resources will continue to be deployed irregularly for partisan purposes,” Soyinka argues, cautioning that such practices could irreversibly erode constitutional safeguards meant to ensure fairness in Kenya’s political system.
The case now awaits directions from the High Court, with its outcome expected to have significant implications on how State facilities are used by sitting governments and political actors.
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Petition Filed to Declare Use of State House for Political Activities Illegal
