Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo on Tuesday filed a censure motion against President William Ruto at the Senate over what the lawmaker termed as the Head of State's failure to address critical matters of national interest.

According to Maanzo's motion, Ruto has failed in his capacity as President to address key issues and challenges facing Kenyans and wants the president censured for several issues including how the National Police Service (NPS) handled protestors during the June-July anti-government demonstrations.

In particular, Maanzo argued Ruto failed in his cardinal responsibility to protect the lives of Kenyans, especially since he is the Chairperson of the National Security Council (NSC).

''Concerned that Article 25(a) (c) provides for rights and fundamental freedoms which CANNOT be limited; the right to freedom from torture and cruel inhuman treatment or degrading treatment or punishment, right to fair trial bearing in mind the recent abductions, torture and disappearances of Kenyans,’’ Maanzo stated in the motion.

He further argued that the national government has crippled devolution by failing to ensure timely disbursement of equitable share to the counties to facilitate the delivery of services.

''Concerned that H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, CGH. President of the Republic of Kenya and the Commander in chief of the Kenya Defence Forces is the Head of State and Government under Article 131 and the Chairperson of the National Security Council have failed to protect Kenyans against police brutality and killings and have reduced the allocation to counties and delayed financing to devolved units causing untold suffering to Kenyans who are sick by failing to devolve Health and Agriculture fully as required by Schedule (4) four of the constitution,’’ the senator added.

Maanzo, a key ally to Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka also wants Ruto censured over the stalling and failure to deliver on key government projects.

He also cited the government's failure to conduct adequate public participation on various government programs such as the Social Health Insurance Fund(SHIF), higher education funding model, the Affordable Housing program, the proposed plan to hand over control of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Indian conglomerate Adani among others as further grounds why Ruto should be censured.

''Further concerned that the said breach as of the constitution by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, CGH. President of the Republic of Kenya and the Commander in chief of the Kenya Defence Forces have marginalized section of Kenyans created and continues to heighten tension among different segments of Kenyans due to lack of proper public participation on SHIF, SHA, University education fees module, Affordable Housing, Airport Leasing among others in contradiction of Articles 10(2), 119(1), 174(c), 232 (1) which demean the high office of the President of the Republic of Kenya.''

This comes in the wake of an impending impeachment motion against the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expected to be presented in Parliament this Tuesday, October 1.

Instructively, Tana River Senator Danson Mungata also filed a censure motion against Gachagua on September 23, 2024 over his conduct.

Mungatana accused Gachagua of constantly making careless remarks with the potential to undermine national unity.