A Petitioner has Moved to the High Court to Challenge CS Rebecca Miano’s Conduct During Ol_Kalou By-Election Campaign
A constitutional petition has been filed at the High Court in Nyandarua seeking declarations that Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano violated the Constitution by allegedly participating in partisan political campaigns during the Ol Kalou Parliamentary by-election held on July 16, 2026.
The petition, filed by Francis Awino, names Rebecca Miano as the first respondent, the Attorney General as the second respondent, while the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have been named as interested parties. The petitioner argues that the matter raises constitutional questions on leadership, integrity, accountability and the neutrality expected of State officers.
In the petition, Awino alleges that Miano actively participated in campaign rallies, political meetings and voter mobilization activities during the by-election while serving as a Cabinet Secretary, conduct he claims is inconsistent with the constitutional obligations imposed on State officers. He further contends that public resources, official security arrangements and the prestige of public office were allegedly deployed in support of partisan political activities.
The petitioner also argues that the alleged conduct undermined the constitutional principles of impartiality, political neutrality, accountability and good governance, and asks the court to determine whether the Cabinet Secretary acted in violation of Articles 10, 73, 75, 81, 129 and 232 of the Constitution, as well as the Leadership and Integrity Act, the Public Officer Ethics Act and the Elections Act.
Among the orders sought, Awino wants the court to issue conservatory orders restraining Miano from participating in partisan political campaigns while serving as a Cabinet Secretary, compel the preservation of Government records relating to her official travel, security deployment and expenditure during the campaign period, and direct the EACC to investigate the allegations and file a preliminary status report before the court.
However, when the matter came before Justice Lilian Mutende on July 22, 2026, the court declined to certify the application as urgent. The judge directed the petitioner to serve all respondents and interested parties, who were granted 14 days to file their responses. The case will be mentioned before Justice P.J. Ol Kalou on August 3, 2026 for further directions.
