Rule of law is cornerstone of democracy, Ruto tells public servants

President William Ruto during police pass out parade at Kiganjo Police Training College. [File, Standard]

President William Ruto has ordered civil servants to respect the rule of law.

The directive comes even as some government institutions continue to operate in contempt of the aspirations of the Constitution.  

“A country without respect to the rule of law will not and cannot guarantee itself as a democracy,” Ruto said on Wednesday at Kenya School of Government in Nairobi.

He was speaking at an event of officials mandated to oversee enforcement of law and order as he presided over the launch of Strategic Framework for implementation of police reforms.

Ruto’s remarks, however, seemed like a mockery considering recent events, including the police boss being sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court. 

Acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli is staring at a six months jail term if he fails to appear in court within the next few hours when a seven-day grace period to comply with a court order lapses.

Masengeli failed to honour multiple court summons to answer questions about the disappearance of three people in Kitengela at the height of Gen Z protests.

Security withdrawn

“Mr. Masengeli is ordered to surrender himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to serve his sentence. In the event he fails to surrender, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior must take steps to ensure he is committed to prison to serve his sentence,” Justice Mugambi ruled. 

Days later, Justice Mugambi’s had his security details withdrawn after issuing the judgement, a move that drew condemnation with the Chief Justice Martha Koome describing the act as “deeply concerning.”

On Wednesday, Ruto directed government institutions to adhere to the rule of law, saying support by all arms of government will help the National Police Service perform its functions diligently. 

He called for public co-operation to ensure that police reforms achieve meaningful improvements. He said the support would ensure that public servants serve under terms that inspire them to discharge duties responsibly.  

 “Our democracy is dependent on the rule of law, and the rule of law is guaranteed by making sure that we have men and women who ensure that everyone keeps to the straight and narrow and respects the rule of law,” he said.

The directive comes at a time when the police service is facing condemnation for failing to account for missing Kenyans believed to be under its custody. 

Ruto said the police reforms were initiated to complement other efforts to develop the security system into an “efficient service guided by ethos of citizen service and respect for the rule of law.” 

He said that some of the recommendations made by the former Chief Justice David Maraga-led taskforce he appointed in December 2022, had been implemented. 

“The findings of the taskforce reveals several issues including obsolete policies, outdated practices, weak leadership, underfunding, rampant corruption and numerous forms of gross malpractices as well as poor human capital development, low pay, poor working conditions and tools and equipment and lack of welfare concerns,” he said.