President William Ruto has delivered a hard-hitting message to the Judiciary, warning that growing concerns over corruption within the institution threaten to erode public trust and undermine the Constitution.

Speaking on Wednesday, August 27, 2027, during the Katiba Day celebration at KICC, Ruto said the Judiciary must confront allegations of bribery and corruption, including what Kenyans have come to describe in street slang as “jury pesa.” He noted that while the discussions are often uncomfortable, they cannot be swept aside.

“The Judiciary must confront corruption within its own ranks. I am aware of the vigorous and often unsettling conversation around terms like ‘jury pesa.’ As painful as this may be, they cannot be ignored,” the President said.

Confidence at stake

Ruto warned that if Kenyans lose faith in the very institution mandated to dispense justice, the ripple effect will weaken the foundation of the Constitution.

“If the institution mandated to dispense justice is perceived as corrupt, it not only erodes confidence but also undermines the very Constitution it is sworn to protect,” he cautioned.

The President urged judicial officers to rise above personal interests and political pressures, stressing that the integrity of the courts must never be compromised.

“The Judiciary must rise to its highest calling, to cleanse itself, uphold its independence with integrity, and prove itself the true temple of justice for all Kenyans,” he declared.

Ruto also pointed out that his administration has honoured requests from the Judiciary by allocating resources to strengthen the institution. He said part of these funds has been directed towards the recruitment of more judges and judicial officers to ease the backlog of cases and expand access to justice.

“My administration has provided resources with the request of the Judiciary, for the hiring of additional judicial officers, especially judges,” Ruto said, adding that Kenyans expect to see not just efficiency but transparency and fairness in return.

A call to integrity

The President’s remarks come at a time when public scrutiny of the Judiciary has intensified, with critics arguing that corruption in the courts has delayed justice for ordinary citizens while shielding the powerful. Ruto’s blunt remarks are likely to spark debate both within legal circles and among the wider public over whether the institution is truly living up to its constitutional mandate.

By challenging the Judiciary to clean its own house, Ruto signalled that accountability must begin from within. His message was clear: unless the courts move decisively against corruption, they risk losing the moral authority that makes them the final arbiter of justice in the country.