Ruto's Uganda Trip Saga In Regional Court

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DP William Ruto alights from a helicopter
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A Kenyan citizen has filed a case at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) over Deputy President William Ruto's Uganda trip saga.

The regional court president, Justice Nestor Kayobera, who was speaking on Kenya Broadcasting corporation(KBC) on Tuesday, August 31, confirmed that the case was filed a fortnight ago.

Kayobera further stated that the petitioner was aggrieved by the incidents surrounding the botched trip.

“There is a case which has been filed recently, like two weeks ago, surrounding the trip of the Deputy President of Kenya to Uganda,” Kayobera stated.

East African Court of Justice President, Justice Nestor Kayobera, speaking at a past event.
East African Court of Justice President, Justice Nestor Kayobera, speaking at a past event.
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He clarified that the case was that of a private citizen petitioning the court and not a state suing another member state.

‘It is not a partner state suing another partner state. It is by the people. The citizen was aggrieved by what happened,” he added.

The EACJ which is the judicial body of the East African Community (EAC) is based in Arusha, Tanzania. 

The court is mandated to settle legal disputes involving member states.

“The court is the judicial body of the community. The role of the court is to interpret the EAC treaty...Any person who is a member of the partner state may bring any matter to the court if they think there is a violation of the treaty,” Kayobera stated.

The case, which is at its early stages, involves immigration laws of Kenya.

“Even if you violate the Kenyan Constitution or you violate the immigration law of Kenya, you can come here,” Kayobera stated.

Ruto was on August 2, blocked from travelling to Uganda via the Wilson airport because he lacked the necessary clearance documents.

The officials at the Office of the Deputy President however argued that Ruto was travelling as a private citizen and not in his official capacity.

This will be second case involving a a prominent Kenyan politician before the court.

On November 8, 2006, Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, petitioned the court over the election of Kenyan representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong'o.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong'o.
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