Why is President Ruto in a row with Kenya’s judiciary? A simple guide

The president’s outbursts come after a series of rulings against his reforms since he took office in August 2022.

Nairobi, Kenya – In the past week, Kenyan President William Ruto has been locked in a row with the judiciary, threatening to disobey court orders restricting his flagship policies and accusing judges of corruption.

Speaking at a public function on Tuesday, Ruto said some unnamed judges are working with the opposition to delay key government projects like a housing fund and universal healthcare initiatives.

“It is not possible that we respect the judiciary while a few individuals who are beneficiaries of corruption are using corrupt judicial officials to block our development projects,” Ruto said.

The government suffered a major setback in November when a High Court in Nairobi declared a housing levy Ruto introduced unconstitutional.

According to the judges, the plan to raise taxes to construct affordable homes was unconstitutional and discriminatory, a declaration that angered the executive.