Ruto renews war on judges, says he had been warned of 'sabotage'

"We must have a conversation with people taking cases to court to block development in this country. We must ask each other questions... a few people have gone to court and bribed the court to stop projects such as roads, universal health coverage and housing. We must talk about this," said the president when speaking in Nyandarua County on Tuesday.

"What we will not allow is judicial tyranny and judicial impunity," he added.

A significant number of Kenyans responded to the President's comments and the prevailing sentiment appeared to be one of skepticism and criticism.

"Glad that H.E. RUTO gives his word to fight corrupt judges. I know he means it. We need a national consensus like the IEBC consensus spearheaded by the President and Hon Raila to reform the judiciary, right from the Supreme Court down to the magistrate courts," posted lawyer, Ahmednasir Abdullahi.

At the same time, Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang'wa said he had already written to the senate about his bill that will establish what he calls a policy court dedicated to handling cases challenging the government's policies.

The court which will be a kin to the Employment and Environment courts will, if approved by the Senate, according to Thang'wa, hear and determine suits within a certain time frame.

The senator is also seeking to have the Judicial Service Commission restructured to tame judges and magistrates and ensure accountability, arguing that they too should e subjected to a periodic assessment similar to the evaluations politicians go through every five years during general elections.

Chief Justice Martha Koome. [File, Standard]

The CJ also said the attacks on judges undermine the values of the Constitution, adding that comments made on pending court matters violate the sub judice rule which prohibits public discussion on an ongoing case.

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga also criticised Ruto, warning that such comments from the head of state threaten to undermine the country's democratic principles and could signal a regression to autocratic rule.

"Ruto's threats against the judiciary pass as those of a leader who is ever getting frustrated by the reality of imminent abject failure," he said.

While admitting there are bad elements in the Judiciary, Raila argued that the failure of high-profile cases and the prevalence of scandals reflect corruption within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.

"The threats that the Kenya Kwanza regime continues to have must be seen in their correct context as a scapegoating and diversionary tactic on the pressing social and economic pressures the regime has subjected the people to," Raila stated.