A Nairobi lawyer has gone to court to stop political parties from using State House and State Lodges for partisan meetings, arguing that the practice turns national institutions into campaign tools.
Advocate Lempaa Soyinka has filed a constitutional petition at the High Court, accusing the State of allowing public resources to be used to promote the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
In the case, President William Ruto (sued in his official capacity), the Attorney General, the Comptroller of State House, and UDA have been listed as respondents.
Suyianka wants the court to rule that hosting political party events at State House is unconstitutional and to permanently bar all parties from using the premises for political meetings.
He is also asking the court to order UDA to pay back taxpayers for any public funds spent on the alleged political events.
According to the petition, State House is meant to serve the nation, not a political party. The lawyer argues that its use for partisan activities breaks the constitutional wall between government and politics.
The court papers list several meetings said to have taken place between April 2025 and February 2026, including sessions with regional political leaders, internal party meetings, and a UDA aspirants’ forum that reportedly drew thousands of party supporters.
“These were political gatherings, not official State functions,” the petition states, adding that party officials, aspirants, and elected leaders attended in their party roles.
The lawyer claims that government facilities, security, staff, catering, and communication systems were used during the meetings, yet no public record has been given on how much they cost or who paid for them.
He says this lack of transparency puts taxpayers in the dark and unfairly tilts the political playing field in favour of the ruling party.
“Allowing one party to access State House gives it an advantage over its rivals and weakens Kenya’s multiparty democracy,” the petition argues.
Soyinka has cited several sections of the Constitution and the Political Parties Act, saying they clearly prohibit the use of public resources to promote partisan interests.
He is also asking the court to force the Comptroller of State House to release a full breakdown of all public money spent on political activities at State House and State Lodges.
The case is likely to draw national attention as Kenyans debate where to draw the line between State power and party politics.
