Ruto Vows Zero Tolerance for Judicial Bribery, Warns Corrupt Officers Ahead of Kenya’s Transformation
In a stern tweet seemingly aimed at both corrupt judicial officials and those considering bribing them, President William Ruto delivered a strong message: there will be no tolerance for such practices under his watch. The tweet followed reports of alleged sabotage attempts by rogue judges, which Ruto refuted, highlighting the presence of numerous ethical officers within the judiciary.
His words, “Mambo ya wafisadi wote ni yale nilisema…” (“The fate of all corrupt individuals is what I’ve already stated”), echoed his previous pronouncements on zero tolerance for graft. This time, however, he specifically targeted the judiciary, declaring: “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.”
The President’s stance comes amidst Kenya’s ongoing fight against corruption, a pillar of his administration. He reiterated his commitment to rooting out corrupt elements within the judiciary, stating: “We shall [root out the corrupt]. 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.”
Ruto’s message resonated with Kenyans who have long yearned for an impartial and corruption-free justice system. Many took to social media to express their support for the President’s stance, urging him to remain resolute in his pursuit of a clean judiciary.
However, some analysts remain cautious, highlighting the difficulty of tackling entrenched corruption within the justice system. They advocate for comprehensive reforms, including strengthening oversight mechanisms and improving judicial accountability, to complement the President’s pronouncements.
One thing is clear: President Ruto’s latest statement marks a significant step in his fight against corruption. Whether it will serve as a powerful deterrent for those considering judicial bribery remains to be seen. Nevertheless, it sends a strong message to both corrupt officials and the Kenyan public that the fight for a cleaner judiciary is far from over.
