A Mau Mau veteran has sued Deputy President William Ruto in the High Court for failure to perform his functions as the deputy president of the country.

Michael Kirungia said Ruto has absconded from his constitutional duties and instead embarked on personal assigned endeavours.

“The deputy party leader of Jubilee and who is the principal assistant of the President of the Republic of Kenya has failed to do the function of the Deputy President as the principal assistant of the president,” the petition read.

Kirungia has further accused Ruto of illegally using public funds to drive his political campaigns instead of performing duties as assigned to him by the president.

“DP is illegally using public funds in conducting his own assignments of meeting UDA members and conducting the 2022 presidential election campaign instead of doing the functions of the office of the DP assigned to him by the President,” the court papers read.

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The veteran has argued that Ruto should be removed from office for gross misconduct and violating Article 147 (1)(2) of the Constitution by failing to discharge his roles as Deputy President and as the principal assistant to the President.

“The Deputy President should be removed from office for gross misconduct because he is accusing the government he serves as the Number Two in command,” Kirungia argued.

Kirungia wants Ruto restrained from using the office and official residence of the deputy president to conduct his UDA party business.

The veteran also prayed the court to declare that Ruto breached Article 150 (1)(b) (i)(ii)(iii) of the Constitution on the code of conduct prescribed for a deputy president.

Kirungia opined that unless the orders are granted, the public will bear the burden.

“Unless the orders sought are granted, the public is going to suffer irreparable loss and damage,” Kirungia said.

Kirungia’s arguments serve to voice sentiments by a section of Kenyans who believe Ruto should resign and stop enjoying government facilities while fighting the same government.

Many politicians, especially those from the Azimio la Umoja faction have asked Ruto to resign from the office instead of fighting the same government that he claims to serve under.