Uhuru in Trouble as the High Court Orders Him and Other Senior Officials to Do the Following

On April 26, 2025, the High Court directed former President Uhuru Kenyatta and several senior government officials to respond to a petition over Kenya’s ballooning debt. The petition was filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and eight other citizens.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye ordered that the petition be served to all involved parties by May 2. He further instructed that responses must be filed by May 23, stressing that the deadlines will be strictly enforced.

The case demands accountability for massive loans acquired under both the Kenyatta and Ruto administrations. It questions the legitimacy of loans amounting to Ksh2.2 trillion borrowed during President William Ruto’s tenure.

Among those named in the petition are Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, and Auditor General Nancy Gathungu. Former officials, including ex-Treasury CS Henry Rotich and ex-Auditor General Edward Ouko, were also listed as respondents.

Omtatah and the other petitioners accuse the government of violating the Constitution through illegal borrowing. They claim billions were borrowed off the budget without parliamentary approval, contrary to legal requirements.

A key concern raised is the alleged transfer of Eurobond proceeds into offshore accounts, rather than the Consolidated Fund. According to the petitioners, this exposed public funds to possible misuse.

The case, if successful, could set a major precedent in enforcing accountability in Kenya’s handling of public debt.

SOURCE