Okiya Omtatah moves to censure Ruto over roadside declarations
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has launched a fresh constitutional challenge against President William Ruto, filing a Senate Notice of Motion seeking to censure the Head of State over what he describes as a recurring practice of governing through “oral and roadside declarations” instead of formal constitutional and legal processes. In a statement issued on Friday, […]
Senators Okiya Omtatah has filed a constitutional challenge against President William Ruto, seeking to censure the head of state for allegedly governing through "oral and roadside declarations" rather than adhering to formal processes. In a statement on September 18, 2026, Omtatah invoked Standing Order 101(1) to table the motion in the Senate, citing several presidential pronouncements that lacked the necessary formal legal instruments.
The senator's focus is on Article 135 of the Constitution, which mandates that presidential decisions must be formalized in writing, bearing the President's signature and seal. Omtatah argues that President Ruto's recent verbal announcements, including directives regarding foreign nationals and Tata Chemicals, fail to meet this constitutional requirement.
He has specifically cited the September 2, 2026, announcement concerning foreign traders, and the September 3, 2026, directive to Tata Chemicals, as examples of such violations. Additionally, Omtatah points to other decisions, such as those related to the Mumias Sugar dispute and Meru County's debt, as part of the pattern he claims demonstrates a lack of accountability and transparency in the executive branch's decision-making process.
This censure motion, distinct from impeachment proceedings, aims to express formal disapproval of Ruto's conduct, placing the matter before the Senate for consideration.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
