Ruto: Bribing of judges will not happen under my watch

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto now says corrupt judicial officers must be kicked out of the judiciary, in a bid to stop impunity.

The president, addressing Senior Counsels (SC) Ahmednassir Abdullahi alias the Grand Muller and Paul Muite said only good officers will be left in the judiciary to dispense justice to Kenyans.

"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," wrote the Head of State in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

"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 nobody."

Section of Kenyans who reacted to his statement urged him to embrace his position as president, and stop 'behaving like an opposition leader.'

"You're a president but you're behaving like an opposition leader or a person looking for a seat," said Emesshines BC.

"William Ruto will surely be a one term president," added one Brian Mutiga.

Alchemist wrote, "As much as the judiciary is corrupt, we can't evade the philosophical speculation of the executive generalizing the situation merely because some judgements are not favouring your way. First seek the "general will" the 50% plus 1 so as to be on the right side of the law."

On Tuesday, president Ruto caused a storm when he accused 'some corrupt' judicial officers of sabotaging his administration.

“We are a democracy. We respect and we will protect the independence of the judiciary. What we will not allow is judicial tyranny and judiciary impunity. That will not happen,” he warned.

He also said that some judges were working in cahoots with individuals, so as frustrate his development agenda, especially in the health sector.

The president said he will have to disobey some court orders against his administration, in order to implement his plan for the people of Kenya.

Ruto has been called out by various players, among them the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), accusing him of threatening the judiciary.

Chief Justice Martha Koome has since urged judges and magistrates to do their work without fear or favour.