Editor's Review

"The impunity of bribing judges so as not to derail, delay, or sabotage Kenya’s imminent transformation will never happen under my watch."

President William Ruto has disclosed that Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi warned him of sabotage from corrupt judicial officers when he came to power in 2022.

In a statement on Thursday, January 4, Ruto said he told Ahmednasir that there are good judges in the judiciary and he will root out those who are corrupt.

The President went on to say he will not allow corrupt judges to derail the country’s transformation under his watch.

“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,” said Ruto.

He added, “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.”

File image of Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi. 

Ruto also noted that not even a single cent will be used by his administration to bribe the Judiciary.

“Not a single cent will be used to bribe nobody. Mambo ya wafisadi wote ni yale nilisema,” he stated.

Ahmednasir on Tuesday pointed out that he urged Ruto to prioritize judicial reforms during his first day in office as the President.

“I pleaded with H.E William Ruto to prioritise judicial reforms. I told him countless times that his transformative agenda and manifesto would be scuttled by a corrupt and captive judiciary if he fails to prioritise judicial reforms,” the vocal lawyer stated.

President Ruto has been under fire since Tuesday when he attacked the judiciary and mentioned he would defy court orders.

Chief Justice Martha Koome on Wednesday slammed the President noting that the trend of attacking and criticizing judges in public in ongoing cases is a way of intimidating them.

"This recurring trend of discussing in public live matters in courts is a matter of great concern as it tends to threaten and intimidate judges and judicial officers to rule in a certain way in matters involving government policy," part of the memo seen by Nairobileo.co.ke read.