President William Ruto has claimed that the previous government had a budget for bribing the judiciary.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Pioneer Affordable Housing Project in Uasin Gishu County, Ruto said,
“I have been told that the previous government had a bribe budget for the judiciary so I should do the same.”
The Head of State emphasized that there will be no bribing of the courts under his administration.
“No budget of Kenya will be used to bribe courts. Our money is for Kenya’s development and not bribing. People taking the government to court have hidden motives…They have money to buy lawyers and bribe judges.”
Ruto’s government has been taken to court over the housing levy and social health insurance fund (SHIF), two projects he is deeply invested in. The President added that he would do away with corruption in the judiciary.
To those opposing the health insurance fund in court, Ruto said he would do everything in his power to ensure it succeeds for the benefit of Kenyans.
“Those against health insurance have insurance covers for their families. We have reduced the insurance amount from Ksh 500 to Ksh 300…Even if a Kenyan cannot pay for insurance, the fund will ensure you get treatment for diseases like cancer and hypertension.”
Ruto vs. the judiciary
Ruto started 2024 on an angry note accusing the judiciary of being corrupt. His sentiments attracted strong reactions from various players in the judiciary sector, including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Chief Justice Martha Koome.
Koome urged the courts not to be intimidated and to continue dispatching their duties according to the law.
The LSK threatened to hold demonstrations across the country, although some practitioners distanced themselves from the move.
In a press conference, LSK Vice President Faith Odhiambo reminded Ruto that the ‘law is the law and must be respected irrespective of denomination, tribe, or status’.
Opposition Leader Raila Odinga also chimed in on Ruto’s remarks about the judiciary saying the president ‘crossed the line’ and his side ‘would not allow it’.
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