- Civic group sues MP Ngogoyo over branding public assets with his portrait and slogans
- Petition claims misuse of taxpayer money and breach of the Constitution
- MP accused of taking credit for projects not done during his term
- Court declines to issue interim orders, sets next mention for July 22
Kajiado North Member of Parliament Onesmus Nguro Ngogoyo is in legal trouble after being accused of using public resources for self-promotion. A constitutional petition filed in the High Court claims the MP branded roads, schools, and health centres with his image and name, using them as campaign tools.
The petition was presented by Sheria Mtaani na Shadrach Wambui, a civic rights group, which argues that the move violates several constitutional provisions and promotes a dangerous personality cult at the expense of accountability.
According to the documents, Ngogoyo allegedly claimed ownership of projects that were neither initiated nor completed during his time in office. Some of the infrastructure, it adds, was funded years before he became MP.
“Branding these assets with his face and slogans is a misuse of public funds for political mileage,” the petition reads, citing breaches of Articles 27, 73, 75, 201, and 232 of the Constitution.
The projects, including roads and public facilities, were reportedly developed by government bodies such as KeRRA, KURA, KeNHA, and the NG-CDF committee, not the MP himself.
The civic group emphasised that MPs are oversight officers, not implementers, as outlined in Article 95 of the Constitution. They argue that Ngogoyo’s branding efforts mislead the public and paint a false picture of how development is done.
“It’s unfair and misleading. He is grabbing credit without democratic or legal approval,” said lawyer Shadrach Wambui.
He also referred to a warning by EACC, which earlier told the Senate that turning public projects into political billboards undermines leadership integrity.
The petition further accuses the MP of breaking the Election Offences Act by using state-funded resources to build a political advantage. The petitioner says this gives him a head start in campaigns and affects electoral fairness.
“With many Kenyans still lacking basic needs like food and healthcare, it’s shameful to waste money on printing politicians’ faces,” the petition reads.
Court Declines Urgent Action for Now
The High Court declined to issue temporary orders blocking the MP’s branding, noting the petition was not certified as urgent. However, the court instructed that the case be served to all parties and set the next mention for July 22.
As the legal battle begins, eyes now turn to the response from Ngogoyo and the broader conversation around the misuse of public property for political gain.
