Senator Maanzo files censure motion against Ruto

President William Ruto. [File, Standard]

Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo has filed a censure motion against President William Ruto in the Senate, accusing him of failing to protect Kenyans and address critical national issues.

In the motion, Maanzo lists several concerns, including what he describes as Ruto's failure, in his role as Chairperson of the National Security Council (NSC), to address issues such as police brutality and abductions.

"Concerned that Article 25(a) and (c) of the Constitution guarantees rights and fundamental freedoms that cannot be limited, including freedom from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to a fair trial—rights that have been violated through recent abductions, torture, and disappearances of Kenyans," Maanzo notes.

The senator also criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration for inadequate public participation in key government initiatives, such as the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), the Adani controversy, the higher education funding model, and the Affordable Housing program.

"Further concerned that the constitutional breaches by President William Ruto, have marginalised sections of the population and increased tensions among Kenyans due to the lack of public participation in SHIF, SHA, and the university funding model," the Senator adds.

He has also accused Ruto of undermining devolution by failing to ensure the timely disbursement of funds to counties, thereby crippling service delivery.

Maanzo’s motion comes just a week after Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana filed a similar censure motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of inciting ethnic tensions through his remarks.

What is a censure motion?

Unlike an impeachment, which seeks to remove an officeholder, a censure motion expresses disapproval of an office bearer and can be debated and adopted by a majority vote.