Ruto blasts Judiciary, DPP over laxity in corruption fight during State address

President William Ruto has criticised key institutions involved in the fight against corruption in Kenya as he made his third State of the Nation address.

Speaking on Thursday at Parliament, he directed his remarks at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Judiciary, calling for greater accountability and efficiency in handling corruption cases.

A major concern for the President was the performance of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He expressed frustration over the repeated dismissal of cases, accusing the DPP of failing to provide witnesses.

"It cannot be the case that the DPP keeps dropping cases because, somehow, they are unable to produce witnesses," Ruto said.

High profile cases

DPP has been in the spotlight after dropping several high-profile cases this year. He has ordered the closure of the multi-billion fraudulent and ghost procurement claims case at NYS by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) after denying consent to charge.

Another instance is the withdrawal of the case regarding the irregular payment by the Tourism Fund, for consultancy services regarding the proposed construction of Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Vipingo, Kilifi County, for lack of evidence.

Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala was among those accused of inflation of cost from the estimated Sh1.9 billion, which was allocated by the Cabinet to Sh8.5 billion.

The EACC investigated Tharaka Nithi governor Muthomi Njuki's procurement of a Sh34 million incinerator but it was eventually dropped.

The DPP first directed that the proceeding be suspended to review the investigation file and has since withdrawn the case.

Also another incident, ex-Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's Sh357.4 million embezzlement case collapsed after the DPP declined to proceed with the case.

The Magistrate court also allowed an application by DPP Ingonga to withdraw the Sh7.6 billion graft case facing oil tycoon Yagnesh Devani. This was after a key witness expressed reluctance to testify in the case.

Corruption suspects

The President also took issue with the Judiciary, on how corruption suspects are able to delay proceedings by seeking anticipatory bail, which he claims shields them from due process.

He highlighted the ability of suspects to use the court system to their advantage, making it harder for investigations to proceed smoothly.

"There is also no reason for corruption cases to drag on in our courts for years," Ruto said, pointing out the irony that the same courts can resolve election petitions within six months but struggle to handle cases of corruption promptly.

Going further, President Ruto stressed the importance of integrity for sustainable development and national security.

"Corruption is a serious risk to social justice, sustainable development, national security, and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda," he said.

The President went on to stress that the government is committed to working with other arms of government, particularly the Judiciary and Parliament, to enhance efficiency through digitisation and automation.

However, he was clear that these measures would only succeed if institutions responsible for tackling corruption stopped hiding behind the "transparent screen of independence" and began meeting the public's expectations.

"The institutions charged with combating corruption and promoting integrity must rise to meet the people's expectations," Ruto said, urging for a more proactive stance from all those in power.