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"We'll root out corrupt judges", Ruto says as he vows end to end bribery in Judiciary

President William Ruto. (Photo: PCS)

By Dennis Tarus | Thursday, January 4, 2024

The president's comments drew sharp criticism from CJ Koome and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

President William Ruto has once again reaffirmed his strong position on what he claims to be corruption and impunity within the Judiciary.

Ruto on Thursday said his administration will root out the corrupt judicial officers in the Judiciary.

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The President on Tuesday said beneficiaries of graft had teamed up with corrupt judicial officers to deny Kenyans development.

He cited his two legacy projects of the affordable housing programme and Universal Health Care that have been temporarily stopped by the courts and vowed he will not allow that to continue.

Sharp criticism

The president's comments immediately drew sharp criticism from Chief Justice Martha Koome, the Judicial Service Commission, the chairman of the Law Society of Kenya Eric Theuri, the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association and Azimio leader Raila Odinga among others.

While contributing to the debate, Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi alleged that corruption was rife within the corridors of justice.

"It was an open secret known throughout the justice sector that the Office of the President not only used to bribe judges in important matters the government had an interest in during the Uhuru era but had specific judges of the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court," Ahmednasir claimed.

"Take for example the epoch-defining cases between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut). The Office of the President paid a cool Sh100 million to one of the Courts that killed Knut."

His statement was echoed by his counterpart Senior Counsel Paul Muite.

"I confirm that this Statement by SC Ahmednasir on Knut's Case is true and accurate. The consequence was the destruction not only of Knut but tragically, education in public schools. President WSR shouldn't however copy his predecessor; two wrongs never make a right!" Muite wrote on X.

While responding to the Senior Counsels regarding the debate, Ruto said bribing of judicial officers would not happen while he was in office.

"Ahmednasir SC, you warned me of sabotage by corrupt judicial officers. I told you there are many good officers in the Judiciary and that we will root out the corrupt. We shall," Ruto said on X.

"Muite SC, the impunity of bribing judges so as not to derail, delay, or sabotage Kenya’s imminent transformation will never happen under my watch. Not a single cent will be used to bribe anybody. Mambo ya wafisadi wote ni yale nilisema (I have already made my comments on matters touching the corrupt).