Ruto Asks Govt Officials to Disobey Judges Slowing Housing and NHIF Reforms

President William Ruto on Tuesday, January 2, sustained his offensive move against some judges and courts whom he accused of colluding with rogue officials to slow down government projects.

Speaking in Nyandarua County during the burial of Michael Waweru, the father to Senator John Methu, the President decried a trend where government policies and projects were repeatedly blocked by courts.

According to Ruto, some judges were colluding with persons previously reaping from inefficiencies to prevent reforms. 

“I want to make it clear that the interests of beneficiaries of the corruption in the former NHIF ganging up with corrupt officials to stall the program that is going to make it possible for the ordinary citizens to access healthcare so that a few corrupt characters can continue to steal from NHIF will stop,” he stated.

In his speech, Ruto affirmed that his government would continue to respect the judiciary’s independence as provided for in the constitution.

However, a firm President Ruto vowed to prevent “corrupt people” from abusing the institution’s independence and thereby delaying plans.

He went on to explain that Kenyans voted in the Kenya Kwanza administration based on its manifesto which had, among others, a promise to ensure universal health coverage.

In addition, the President mentioned the affordable housing plan which he noted was crucial to the government’s plan of creating jobs for Kenyans.

According to him, privileged officials were making it difficult for the government to realize these goals through the court orders.

“We respect you but judicial impunity by corrupt judicial officers must stop,” Ruto said.

Ruto asks officials to defy orders

Addressing mourners in the burial ceremony, Ruto singled out a road project in the county which had been halted by a court order.

After posing a question on whether the government should proceed to complete the project, the mourners in acclamation urged the President to continue with the project despite the orders.

Subsequently, the President directed officials in the Ministry of Transport to commit resources towards completion of the road project.

“There is a road project in Ihithe the Judiciary has asked to stop, do you want us to construct it or should we wait for these people(judiciary),” Ruto posed a question to the mourners.

“The judiciary must submit itself to the people of Kenya.”

Also Read: Ruto Hits Out at Leaders Opposing Housing Levy

But this was not the first time the President expressed his concerns over continued delays in government projects due court cases.

In his new year’s message, the President called out public servants imposing injunctions on government projects in his tenure.

However, his new offensive against the said judges was interpreted in some quarters as a change of tune after vowing to uphold the Judiciary’s independence in the campaigns.

While some people agreed with the concern raised about corrupt court officials, they insisted that the President and government officials should obey court orders.

Critics question Ruto on Judiciary independence 

Lawyer Prof Makau Mutua in a post on social media, for instance, called for reforms in the judiciary and removal of corrupt judges instead of defying court orders. 

In addition, the lawyer called for focus on the larger web of persons involved in corruption noting that the judges were not the only enablers of corruption in courts. 

“The answer to a corrupt judiciary isn’t defiance of court orders,” Prof Makau noted.

“ It’s comprehensive reform of the judiciary — removing corrupt judges, sacking/removing corrupt politicians/civil servants, dismantling colluding cartels in the bar, and jailing corrupt businesspersons.”

Also Read:Court Declares Housing Levy Unconstitutional

Thirdway Alliance Leader Dr Ekuru Aukot on his part said, “President William Ruto is directly threatening judges and undermining the other arm of government, the Judiciary. He is also complicit since he claims to have evidence of corrupt judges but does not want to share with the JSC! Under criminal law, he is culpable.”