- He said that the independence of the judiciary should not be used as an excuse to deny Kenyans the development, which is their constitutional right.
- "Nobody should tell us the independence of the judiciary also means that the judiciary is holy or sacrosanct."
President William Ruto has insisted that it is time corruption in the judiciary is dealt with firmly and decisively. https://rb.gy/f78vzf
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has insisted that it is time corruption in the judiciary is dealt with firmly and decisively.
Speaking in Kapsuswa on Tuesday, Ruto said that he means business and that corruption must end in the judiciary.
He said that the independence of the judiciary should not be used as an excuse to deny Kenyans the development, which is their constitutional right.
The President said the independence of the judiciary should also not mean that it is too important not to be questioned.
Ruto insisted that the judiciary still answers to the people of Kenya.
"We are going to make sure that all of us respect the sovereignty of the people of Kenya. And when I say and I will repeat that we must deal firmly, and decisively with corruption in the judiciary, I mean it and we are going to deal firmly and decisively to root out corruption in the judiciary," he said.
"Nobody should tell us that the independence of the judiciary will be used to deny the people of Kenya their rights. Nobody should tell us the independence of the judiciary also means that the judiciary is holy or sacrosanct. It is still subject to the people of Kenya."
Ruto added that the transformation of Kenya has been delayed for many years and no one will stop him from moving the country forward.
"The countries we started together are far ahead of us because of saboteurs and we will deal with them," he said.
Despite a vow by Chief Justice Martha Koome to stand by judges, Ruto and his allies have continued attacks on the judiciary.
Koome, who also serves as the President of the Judicial Service Commission, said the JSC will continue to promote and facilitate Judicial independence as provided for under Article 172 (1) of the Constitution.
But an unapologetic President promised to vanquish forces hell-bent on using the judicial system to stall his policies and programmes.
“How do you expect me to be quiet when a few people are rushing to the courts to stop plans to create job opportunities for Kenyans?” the President posed.
The head of state added that the people who have gone to court to stop his plans have no idea the pain they are inflicted on educated, skilled and talented youths who lack jobs.
“Those who don’t have jobs do not have money to hire lawyers or bribe courts. I will stand with them. I am going to be their advocate until they get jobs,” he said at Sugutek AIC church, Uasin Gishu County on Sunday.