Ahmednasir's Warning That Made Me Call Out Corrupt Judicial Officers- Ruto

President William Ruto on Thursday, January 4 attributed his decision to take on the Judiciary for harbouring rogue elements out to disrupt his legacy to a warning given to him by Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi.

On Tuesday, January 2, Ahmednasir revealed that he reminded President Ruto to put judicial reforms at the top of his to-do list once he assumed office on September 13, 2022.

This is because he warned the Head of State that there were corrupt elements in the Judiciary who would pounce on the slightest opportunity to reap big from challenging some of his government policies through the country's courts.

“I pleaded with H.E William Ruto to prioritise judicial reforms. I told him countless times that his transformative agenda and manifesto would be scuttled by a corrupt and captive judiciary if he fails to prioritise judicial reforms,” the vocal lawyer stated.

Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi alias "Grand Mullah" during a past interview with Citizen TV. /FILE

"H.E. Ruto faces the headwinds of corruption and judicial impunity lawyers and their clients face in our courts 24/7. Mr. President the chickens have come home to roost! But, Mr. President it isn't too late to start judicial reforms."

In response, President Ruto in a statement on X acknowledged Ahmednasir's warning of rogue elements in the Judiciary who risked ruining the reputation of the good ones diligently serving in their duties for the sake of the country.

"Ahmednasir SC, you warned me of sabotage by corrupt judicial officers. I told you there are many good officers in the judiciary and that we will root out the corrupt. We shall," Ruto assured.

He also extended his reassurance to Senior Counsel Paul Muite, adding that no form of bribery threatening to jeopardize the country's Judiciary would happen under his leadership.

"Muite SC, the impunity of bribing judges so as not to derail, delay, or sabotage Kenya’s imminent transformation will never happen under my watch.

"Not a single cent will be used to bribe anybody. Mambo ya wafisadi wote ni yale nilisema (everything I said about the corrupt is what I said)," Ruto added.

In response, Ahmednasir wrote "Glad that H.E Ruto gives his word to fight corrupt judges. I know he means it. We need a national consensus like the IEBC consensus spearheaded by the President and Hon Raila to reform the judiciary, right from the Supreme Court down to the magistrate courts."

The renowned lawyer had on Wednesday, January 3 advised President Ruto to borrow the methods of the previous administration instead of disobeying court orders.

He claimed that the former regime bribed judges to rule in their favour in several high-profile cases, insisting that it was an open secret, claims that were backed by Muite who added that President Ruto should not follow the same direction.

Since Tuesday, President Ruto has been under fire from both the Law Society of Kenya and Chief Justice Martha Koome for his attacks on the Judiciary and hint of disobeying court orders.

However, through State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, Ruto said it was unfair to accuse him of impeding independence to the Judiciary yet it was he who appointed Court of Appeal judges who had earlier been denied appointments by the former administration.