High Court Blocks Ruto’s e-Citizen Order to 34 Agencies
The High Court has dealt a significant setback to President William Ruto by halting his directive requiring 34 parastatal heads to onboard their operations onto the e-Citizen platform.
In a late ruling delivered at the Milimani High Court in Nairobi on Tuesday, December 10, Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued an order to suspend President Ruto’s directive affecting the parastatal chiefs.
The court’s decision reads: “Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Application dated December 5, 2024, a conservatory order is hereby issued, suspending the implementation and operation of the directive issued on November 28, 2024, mandating the 1st to 34th Interested Parties to compulsorily onboard and/or migrate to the eCitizen Services Platform.”
This judgment followed a petition by the lobby group Kituo cha Sheria and a private citizen, Hillary Mokaya, who challenged the legality of the directive, citing constitutional violations.
The petitioners argued that Ruto’s order lacked public participation, as required by the Constitution, and warned that the move could exploit citizens unable to access government services directly. They also contended that the President exceeded his authority by imposing a one-week deadline for onboarding.
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Court documents highlighted that the directive undermined the governance structures of the agencies involved, stating, “Ruto’s order violates the legal framework entrusting the management of these entities to their respective boards, councils, or commissions.”
In addition, the High Court barred President Ruto from taking disciplinary action against the 34 parastatal heads who failed to comply with the directive, as previously threatened.
The ruling specified: “Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Application dated December 5, 2024, a conservatory order is issued prohibiting the removal from office or initiation of disciplinary actions against the 35th to 68th Interested Parties based on non-compliance with the directive to onboard and/or migrate to the eCitizen Services Platform.”
The court instructed the petitioners to ensure the application and court orders were served to the Office of the President and all concerned parties by Wednesday, December 11.
According to the directive, “The Petitioners must serve the Application, Petition, and this Court Order on the Respondents and Interested Parties by close of business December 13, 2024, and subsequently file an Affidavit(s) of Service by December 16.”
These developments follow President Ruto’s November 28 announcement accusing directors of key state agencies of obstructing the government’s digitization agenda. The President also alleged financial improprieties within entities such as the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), and the Kenya Power Company (KPLC), questioning the transparency of their operations.
High Court Blocks Ruto’s e-Citizen Order to 34 Agencies
