President William Ruto has openly criticised a string of court decisions that have stalled or overturned key government programmes, arguing that some rulings undermine the mandate given to his administration by voters in the 2022 General Election.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the swearing-in of Court of Appeal judges, the President addressed senior members of the Judiciary, including Chief Justice Martha Koome and Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, expressing frustration over judgments he believes have far-reaching consequences for ordinary Kenyans.
Ruto said he has deliberately spoken out about the impact of certain rulings, insisting his concerns are grounded in the realities faced by citizens rather than contempt for the courts.
“I have been candid about this reality and, on several occasions, questioned judicial decisions that appear to hinder critical public policy. Some rulings seem to cross into the realms of judicial overreach, or even, as some say, tyranny,” he said.
Despite the sharp criticism, the President pushed back against claims that his administration has ignored court orders, maintaining that the government has consistently complied with judicial directives even when decisions have been unfavourable.
Ruto also revealed plans to formally seek guidance from the courts on the legal standing of policies drawn from election manifestos, especially when their implementation is challenged in court.
“I want to understand when the people vote for a manifesto, which is endorsed as a policy document, where that manifesto stands when implementation is challenged, sometimes to the detriment of millions who voted for it,” he said.
He framed the move as a way of safeguarding the will of the electorate, adding: “I will be respectfully approaching the courts to help us understand so that if the manifesto is not important, we stop wasting time with it.”
The President’s remarks come against the backdrop of several recent legal setbacks for his administration. Most recently, the High Court declared unconstitutional the appointment of 21 presidential advisors made in 2025, issuing orders barring the payment of their salaries and benefits.
In that ruling, Justice Bahati Mwamuye found that the appointments were made without the involvement of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, as required by law, effectively forcing the advisors to vacate office.
Earlier, the High Court temporarily halted the implementation of the National Infrastructure Fund following a constitutional petition challenging its legality. The fund, which Ruto has strongly defended, is a centrepiece of his economic agenda and is intended to drive large-scale development projects.
In another blow, the court nullified a series of Executive Orders issued by the President in November last year that sought to overhaul public sector hiring and introduce new rules on the management of state corporations. The Law Society of Kenya argued that the changes undermined the constitutional mandate of the Public Service Commission and opened the door to political interference.
As legal challenges continue to test the government’s policy agenda, Ruto’s comments highlight a growing tension between judicial oversight and the executive’s push to deliver on its promises — a debate now playing out in full view of the country’s top judicial leadership.
