President William Ruto has called on the Judiciary to practice restraint in handling matters of national and public interest to prevent individuals and groups from using the legal system to advance personal agendas. He emphasized the challenge of distinguishing between genuine public interest and populist politics, especially in a time when social media amplifies anonymous voices and diverse agendas.
Ruto highlighted the Judiciary’s role in promoting issue-based politics rather than personality-driven or ethnic-based populism. He noted that respecting the popular mandate of the people, as reflected in the government’s elected platform and endorsed manifesto, is essential for democracy. “How should the Judiciary respond to litigants who challenge policies and positions that have already been debated and voted on by the people of Kenya?” he asked.
Speaking at the official opening of the Supreme Court of Kenya at the 12th Conference in Nairobi, marking 12 years since the court’s establishment, Ruto was joined by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Chief Justice Martha Koome, and Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu.
Ruto also underscored the importance of collaboration among the three branches of government to advance national interests and uphold constitutional principles, emphasizing that no single institution can operate in isolation. While defending the importance of checks and balances, he raised concerns over judicial overreach, questioning, “What happens when we have judicial overreach? Who addresses it?”
The President reaffirmed the Executive’s commitment to respect the independence of other branches while urging the Judiciary to reciprocate by refraining from interference. He also expressed a commitment to working with the Judiciary to create a more efficient, accessible, and fair judicial system that upholds the rights of all citizens.
Ruto further announced that the Executive, in collaboration with the Legislature, has engaged with the Judiciary on budgetary matters to support the expansion of court infrastructure and capacity.
Reflecting on the stabilizing role of the Supreme Court, he mentioned how the 2007 post-election violence underscored the need for strong judicial institutions. He praised the Supreme Court’s development of jurisprudence to address complex disputes and deliver judgments that support constitutional law and public expectations.
Deputy President Kindiki echoed the need for the Judiciary to define the balance between national and public interest to promote stability, warning that public opinion can sometimes be swayed against national interests.
Chief Justice Koome emphasized that political issues should ideally be resolved politically and assured Kenyans of the Judiciary’s dedication to justice, vowing to uphold the Constitution. She stated, “The Supreme Court will stand as a steadfast guardian of the Constitution and the rule of law.”
Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi encouraged cooperation among the three arms of government to serve Kenyans in a spirit of interdependence, adding that despite their independence, they ultimately serve the same citizens.
Governor Sakaja highlighted the role of a strong judicial system in making Kenya a competitive destination for investment, noting that a robust justice system increases investor confidence in the country.
