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Additional reporting by Steve Mokaya
Ruto Alleges Kenyatta Regime “Bribed Courts”
President William Ruto Tuesday made serious allegations against the regime of his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, claiming that it had set aside a budget to bribe courts and influence judicial decisions.
Ruto made these remarks while laying the foundation stone for the Kapsuswa Affordable Housing Project in Uasin Gishu County. He used the occasion to address critics of the project, emphasizing that he would not be deterred in his efforts to combat corruption within the Judiciary.
The President further asserted that some individuals were urging him to establish a “bribing” budget for the Judiciary, similar to what he alleges the Kenyatta administration did. He vowed to resist intimidation through court cases and pledged that his government would not allocate any funds to sway judicial rulings. Instead, he promised to tackle corruption head-on.
“Some people are saying that because the previous government had a budget to bribe courts, I should go and come up with a budget to bribe the courts,” Ruto stated. “Do you want your money to be used to bribe the courts? No budget will be made to bribe anyone in the courts. The courts are servants of Kenyans.”
President Ruto reiterated his previous claims that certain individuals were collaborating with judges to obstruct Kenya Kwanza initiatives, such as the housing program. He assured residents that he would eliminate corruption within the justice system and that no one would be permitted to derail programs intended to benefit Kenyans.
“We respect the independence of the Judiciary and other institutions,” Ruto said, “but that independence does not extend to sabotage the public interests.” He declared, “Any institution that undermines the delivery of Constitutional rights; social and economic to the people of Kenya is undermining the constitution and we are going to make sure all of us respect the sovereignty of the people of Kenya.”
The President emphasized his determination to eradicate judicial corruption, stating, “We must deal. Firmly, decisively with corruption in the Judiciary and we are going to root out corruption in the judiciary…it is still subject to the people of Kenya.”
Ruto believes that his administration’s initiatives are designed to benefit ordinary Kenyans and claims that court orders hindering these projects are unconstitutional because they thwart the will of the people. He vowed to continue his efforts to create jobs and fulfill his campaign promises.
“The biggest problem in Kenya is unemployment,” Ruto asserted. “Please, I want to tell you kuweni na utu. You have jobs, and your children have jobs. The children of the hustler and mama mbogas have no jobs.” He concluded, “I am their lawyer and I cannot bribe the courts; instead of giving bribes to courts, I will end corruption in courts.”
President Ruto’s accusations against the previous administration and his vowed fight against corruption within the Judiciary have sparked significant debate in Kenya.
Lawyers Gear Up for Ruto’s Impeachment for His Attacks on the Judiciary
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has drawn its battle lines, establishing a legal team to review President William Ruto’s potential violations of the Constitution in the wake of his sustained attacks against the Judiciary and court decisions. LSK President Eric Theuri laid out a two-pronged strategy: mobilizing public support and exploring legal avenues, including the possibility of impeachment.
“We will mobilize support from all quarters, including religious leaders and civil society, to force the President to respect the rule of law or face impeachment for gross violation of the constitution,” Theuri declared. He cited the Constitution’s provisions for challenging presidential actions and confirmed that LSK is prepared to petition the High Court, stating, “One of the grounds for impeachment is violation of the Constitution.”
Theuri, a candidate for the LSK representative post on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), served a stern warning to the President, emphasizing the Judiciary’s independence. “Judicial authority was no longer under the direction of any persons,” he stated. “We will not allow a roll back to those days when a President was autocratic and above the law.”
The LSK President further advised Ruto to abandon any notions of being above the law. “He may get his way in Parliament, but he will not get it in the Judiciary for as long as we are watching,” Theuri asserted.
This resolute stance comes on the heels of Friday’s peaceful protest organized by LSK against Ruto’s attacks. During the protest, Theuri assured the Judiciary of LSK’s unwavering support. “We want to urge the Judiciary to note that the LSK stands with them. They should not feel bullied or harassed,” he said.
The LSK also pledged to hold the Judiciary accountable while upholding its independence. “We ask them to make decisions only on the basis of the law and Constitution,” Theuri stated. “As long as they are accountable, we shall support them.”
The protest, attended by prominent figures like former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, and Kivutha Kibwana, also saw warnings issued to the President regarding his criticisms of judges handling cases related to taxes and levies.
Musyoka, in a show of solidarity with the Judiciary, declared, “This cannot be just accepted. Chief Justice Martha Koome and your team, as LSK, we stand in solidarity. We are not here to ask you to issue any favourable orders, but do the right thing under the law… If this country is not under the rule of law, it can only mean we are under the jungle law.”
The LSK’s strong stance and ongoing legal preparations signal a potential escalation in the ongoing standoff between the Executive and the Judiciary.
Azimio Accuses Ruto of Dictatorship, Vows to Defend Judiciary
Kenya’s main opposition coalition, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya, has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing his administration of undermining the independence of the judiciary and taking the country down a path towards dictatorship.
The criticism erupted at the funeral service of the late Phillip Makabongo, ODM party Chairperson for Migori County. Opposition leader Raila Odinga led the charge, condemning President Ruto’s recent attacks on the judiciary as a deliberate attempt to “weaken the justice system and disable scrutiny of his regime.”
“Everybody must be subject to the court…we want to tell the judges of the courts not to be cowed,” Odinga declared. “We will defend you…we stand together as the people of Kenya behind the Judiciary.”
The former Prime Minister pointed out the irony of President Ruto’s actions, reminding the gathering that his own ascent to power was the result of a Supreme Court judgment in the disputed 2022 election. “We are dealing with a regime that has gone rogue,” he said, adding that Kenyans “struggled to bring this Constitution…we lost people because of this Constitution.”
Odinga was joined by a chorus of Azimio legislators and governors who echoed his concerns. Siaya Governor James Orengo stated, “President Ruto is not above the law, he is below the law and cannot disobey the law.” Nominated MP John Mbadi went further, saying, “The Ruto we see today is the real Ruto…dictatorship is the real Ruto…the one attacking the Judiciary is the real Ruto….we will not allow you to bring back dictatorship in this country.”
The sentiment wasn’t limited to Migori. In Machakos County, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka also addressed the issue, declaring, “There are no negotiations regarding interference with the independence of the Judiciary.” He asserted that “as a Senior Counsel and Kenyan advocates, we will stand to protect our courts. The Executive, Legislature and Judiciary should be respected by all.”
Judiciary Chief Justice Hits Back at Executive Over Allegations
Chief Justice Martha Koome Friday launched a strong defense of the Judiciary, accusing the Executive arm of government of attempting to undermine its independence through unfounded allegations and intimidation. Speaking during the handover ceremony for outgoing Chief Registrar Anne Amadi, Koome challenged the Executive to produce evidence for claims of corruption against unnamed judicial officers whose rulings have halted government projects.
The Chief Justice’s remarks were a direct response to President William Ruto’s sustained criticism of the Judiciary since the beginning of the year. Addressing Ruto and members of his Kenya Kwanza coalition specifically, Koome urged them to follow the proper channels for lodging complaints against judicial officers through the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
“We are ready to process any complaint against any judge or judicial officer, but it must be done in accordance with the Constitution,” she stated, adding that the days of hounding officials out of office through “name-calling” are over.
Koome, speaking publicly for the first time since the barrage of attacks started, asserted the JSC’s capacity to handle all complaints against judicial officers fairly and impartially. “The JSC will only act on the basis of concrete evidence, not unsubstantiated blanket statements,” she emphasized.
In a message to all judicial officials, the Chief Justice urged them to discharge their duties fearlessly and without favor, adhering to their oaths of office and the law. She also appealed to Kenyans to protect the hard-won gains of the Constitution, including judicial independence and the rule of law.
“These are sacred promises, for which Kenyans sacrificed lives and limbs. They must remain our guiding principle,” she said.
Ruto Sustains Attacks on Judiciary Despite Protests
President William Ruto and his allies unleashed a scathing attack on the Judiciary on Saturday, accusing the courts of undermining his administration’s agenda and jeopardizing progress on key projects like the affordable housing initiative.
Speaking at separate events in Nakuru County, Ruto and his allies, including Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, trained their guns on the judiciary, accusing it of being a stumbling block to the government’s development plans.
The President, while inaugurating completed affordable housing units in Nakuru, warned against any attempts to derail the project, which he claims has created thousands of jobs for Kenyans.
“We are going to deal firmly with corruption…are there some people trying to bribe courts to block these jobs for our youth?” he posed, drawing a roar from the crowd. “Do you young people want to remain jobless? Do you want the rich to bribe their way into court while you struggle? No…those are silly things!”
Kihika echoed the President’s sentiments, stating, “Here in Nakuru, we are seeing the fruits of the affordable housing project…why should some people try to sabotage this noble government agenda through the Judiciary?”
Ruto further defended his administration’s economic policies, promising to lower tax burdens and foster industrial growth to boost the country’s GDP. He acknowledged the challenges of debt repayment but emphasized the need for economic stability.
Meanwhile, in Marsabit County, Nyoro and North Horr MP Wario Guyo led a similar attack on the Judiciary, criticizing what they perceived as judicial corruption and its impact on development. Nyoro called for a judiciary free from bribery and influence, while Guyo emphasized the need for a just system that protects the future of Kenyan children.
The coordinated attack on the Judiciary by Ruto and his allies marks a significant escalation of tensions between the executive and the judiciary.
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