Kenya's President Ruto faces legal pressure over Cabinet gender imbalance

President William Ruto’s administration is facing renewed legal pressure after failing to meet a court-imposed deadline to reconstitute the Kenyan Cabinet in compliance with the two-thirds gender principle. The 120-day deadline expired on October 28, 2026, without the required changes to address the constitutional violation.

A High Court ruling on June 30 declared the Cabinet's composition unconstitutional under Article 27(8), noting that the body consisted of 18 men and seven women. This resulted in approximately 28 per cent female representation, falling short of the threshold requiring that no more than two-thirds of members in appointive public bodies be of the same gender. The court determined that at least nine women are required among the 25 members to meet the standard.

The Court of Appeal has declined to suspend the original orders, rejecting a government application to halt the implementation of the directive while an appeal is pending. Consequently, the order to reorganize the Cabinet remains in force. The court also directed Attorney General Dorcas Oduor to serve relevant court papers to allow proceedings to continue.