President William Ruto has sounded a warning shot to the various government agencies, cautioning them against engaging in corrupt activities.

Speaking during the ongoing devolution conference in Homa Bay County on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Ruto stated that the time had come for the country to face and redress the menace of corruption in the country.

He noted that the vice has become a stumbling block to gains made in the war against graft.

EACC and courts

He challenged the agencies charged with ensuring accountability of the law to effectively play their role and ensure they are not the ones perpetuating the vice.

He specifically challenged the EACC, stating that they will be the sacred cows in the fight against corruption.

“EACC must take up their role seriously. I have made it clear that there will be no sacred cow or telephone call from above to stop anybody from being prosecuted in matters of corruption. All agencies must come together to deal with the problem of corruption and ensure resources are used as intended by the people of Kenya,” he stated.

Ruto, who recently signed the Conflict of Interest Bill into law, also decried the provision of anticipatory bail as a major blow to the courts’ effort to abolish the vice.

“Something called anticipatory bail. It is a Kenyan innovation that takes us backwards. Take the example of somebody who has stolen government funds, goes to court, and takes anticipatory bail. It makes it impossible for such a person to be prosecuted. So how does that support the fight against corruption?” he posed.

Parliamentary Committees

“I hope people in the judiciary will help us answer because we are undertaking a transformation as a county, but it’s being undermined by corruption,” he added.

His challenge also extended to the legislative arm of government, where he cited ministers and members of the various parliamentary committees for cases of aiding or abetting bribery.

“Something is going on in our legislature that we must call out. There is money being demanded from executives, ministers, governors, and people appearing before our houses of parliament for accountability.

“It is not possible that the parliament committees ask for a bribe and demand bribes for them to write reports or look the other way at what is happening at the national and county governments,” he added.

He ultimately asked the courts to also step up their role as the third arm of government tasked with ensuring justice.

“I want to urge the judiciary not to be a haven for the corrupt to hide behind judicial decisions,” he stated.