Three Kenyans Move to Court to Challenge Legality of Ruto-Raila Talks Team

On Friday, September 29, three Kenyans took legal action against the bipartisan talks, filing a petition in the High Court to challenge the legality and constitutionality of the National Dialogue Committee.

Issa Elanyi Chamao, Patrick Karani Ekirapa, and Paul Ngweywo Kirui have made an appeal to the dialogue committee co-chairs, Kimani Ichung’wa and Kalonzo Musyoka, expressing their unease regarding the Ruto-Raila negotiations. According to them, the talks are not guided by adequate legal frameworks necessary for the effective resolution of issues and the search for workable solutions for problems impacting Kenyans.

“It is not clear how the issues addressed were arrived at. Some issues appear to safeguard the self-interest of the political elite,” the petition reads.

The petitioners conveyed their discontent with Ichung'wa and Musyoka's committee for failing to provide guidance on how the public could engage more actively in the issue. The absence of public participation disheartened them, citing the crucial impact that the agenda items have on their lives. They argued that the committee's actions were being steered by their desire to appease their political aims, causing them to emphasize the initiation of constitutional reforms.

“Further, the committee lacks a legal framework to guide principles to be adhered to in conducting the public participation process, remuneration and general guidelines on how to conduct civic education, collection of views and formulation of issues, debate on the issues by the members of the public.” the petition further reads.

Initiated in August, the committee aims to resolve the bipartisan disputes arising between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja. Adopting an impartial approach, both groups have endorsed five representatives each to join the committee. The representatives from Kenya Kwanza are National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Cecily Mbarire, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, Hassan Omar Hassan, and Catherine Wambilianga. The Azimio team is comprised of Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Amina Mnyazi, Eugene Wamalwa, and Senator Okong’o Mogeni.