Senator Omtatah Sues Uhuru, Ruto Over Trillions in Public Debt

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has launched a major legal battle against former President Uhuru Kenyatta, President William Ruto, and several top officials over Kenya’s ballooning public debt, which he claims was incurred unconstitutionally and without proper oversight.

In a petition filed at the High Court, Omtatah, alongside eight other petitioners, seeks to hold key figures accountable, including former National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u, Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, and Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu. They argue that reckless borrowing practices have plunged the country into a crippling debt crisis.

Omtatah’s lawsuit points specifically to Sh4.6 trillion borrowed during the Kenyatta administration, accusing officials of sidestepping constitutional procedures. Among the most serious allegations is the mishandling of Eurobond funds, which the petitioners claim were illegally placed in offshore accounts rather than the Consolidated Fund, exposing them to potential misuse and corruption.

“By placing the Eurobond funds in offshore accounts without transparency, the government betrayed the public trust and violated both the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act,” the petitioners argue.

The case also challenges the legitimacy of loans worth Sh2.2 trillion borrowed under the Ruto administration, claiming they too were secured without necessary parliamentary approvals.

Senator Omtatah cites violations of several constitutional articles, particularly Articles 222, 223, 226(5), and 228, which govern the management of public finances. According to the petition, Kenya’s public debt surged alarmingly from Sh2.37 trillion in 2014 to Sh8.57 trillion by the end of Kenyatta’s presidency, a burden now heavily felt by ordinary Kenyans.

The petitioners are seeking court orders to hold former and current officials personally liable for what they term as “odious debts” and demand reparations for the economic harm inflicted on the country.

As the case proceeds, it is likely to ignite heated political and public debate about accountability, transparency, and the true cost of Kenya’s borrowing spree.

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Senator Omtatah Sues Uhuru, Ruto Over Trillions in Public Debt