Judicial Service Commission vice chairperson Isaac Ruto is under fire after attending the United Democratic Alliance’s Governing Council at State House on January 26, 2026. Pressure is mounting on Ruto to resign or be fired. Former JSC vice-chair Macharia Njeru has called on Chief Justice Martha Koome to bar Ruto from participating in the commission’s work.
In a letter dated January 27, 2026, and addressed to CJ Koome in her capacity as JSC Chairperson, Njeru said that Ruto has been openly participating in United Democratic Alliance (UDA) political activities while still serving as a state officer.
Isaac Ruto on the spot
Njeru cited recent media reports and photographs showing Ruto attending UDA party meetings, including the National Governing Council session held at State House.
“I write this letter to you in your capacity as the JSC Chairperson. From images and texts published in the media, Isaac Ruto has been sighted attending UDA party meetings the most recent being National Governing Council meeting at State House. It is unprecedented for a JSC Commissioner to openly associate and work with a political party or actively engage in politics while still in office.”
Njeru stated that no serving member of the JSC has ever openly attended a political party meeting, adding that the actions raise clear concerns about political alignment.
He argued that the Constitution, the Leadership and Integrity Act, and the JSC Code of Conduct all require Commissioners to remain neutral and avoid any activity that may be interpreted as partisan.
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He noted that a Commissioner’s public association with a political party risks undermining the trust Kenyans place in the Judiciary and the Commission responsible for overseeing its operations.
Speaking from Experience
In the letter, Njeru draws from his own experience at the JSC, where he served from 2019 to 2024.
He recalled several cases in which the Commission removed candidates from the shortlist for judge positions after they were found to have political involvement.
“Having served as Commissioner and Vice Chair at the JSC I am aware that continued open and active involvement in politics was a factor used by the Commission to exclude candidates for Judge positions from making it to the shortlist primarily to shield the Judiciary from getting muddled up in partisan politics. To now have a Commissioner who is also the Vice Chair doing the exact same thing that is frowned upon is unacceptable and I feel compelled to raise the matter directly with the Commission through you.”
He argues that if the JSC applies strict standards to applicants, then the same standards must apply even more firmly to a serving Commissioner, especially one holding the office of Vice Chair.
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According to him, it is unacceptable for a Commissioner who helps decide who becomes a judge to openly associate with a political party.
Koome Called to Action
Njeru urged Chief Justice Koome to act quickly.
He recommended that Isaac Ruto be immediately prevented from participating in any ongoing or future judge recruitment processes to protect the credibility of the selections.
He further states that Ruto should resign from the Commission to restore public trust and ensure that the JSC maintains its reputation for neutrality.
“I therefore kindly request that you place this letter before the Commission for deliberation. My expectation is that Hon. Ruto will exclude himself from participating in the remaining interviews for the Judge positions and proceed to resign from the Commission altogether with immediate effect for the greater good of our Judiciary and the JSC too.”
Njeru ended his letter by expressing respect for Chief Justice Koome’s office and calling for swift action to safeguard the independence and integrity of the Judiciary.
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