Concerns have emerged over the involvement of Judicial Service Commission Vice Chair Isaac Ruto in political activities, with former Vice Chair Macharia Njeru warning that such conduct could compromise the independence of the Judiciary.
In a letter to Chief Justice Martha Koome, Njeru said he had seen reports and images showing Ruto attending meetings of the United Democratic Alliance, including the party’s National Governing Council gathering at State House.
“It is unprecedented for a serving JSC Commissioner to openly associate and actively engage in the activities of a political party while still in office,” Njeru wrote. He added that such actions “flies in the face of the express provisions of the Constitution, the Leadership and Integrity Act and the applicable codes of conduct.”
Njeru said the alleged participation undermines public confidence in the judicial system, emphasizing that political neutrality is central to the credibility of the courts.
Drawing on his experience at the Commission, he noted that active political involvement was previously a key factor in deciding who could be considered for judicial appointments.
“Continued open and active involvement in politics was a factor used by the Commission to shield the Judiciary from being muddled up in partisan politics,” he stated. “To now have a Commissioner, who is also the Vice Chairperson, doing the very same thing that is frowned upon is unacceptable.”
He said all commissioners understood they were barred from political engagement while serving and that he was not aware of any policy change allowing it.
“I do not believe the policy at the Commission has changed,” he wrote.
Njeru requested that Chief Justice Koome present the matter to the full Commission for review. He expects Ruto to step aside from the ongoing judicial interviews and ultimately resign.
“My expectation is that Hon. Ruto will exclude himself from participating in the remaining interviews for judge positions and proceed to resign from the Commission altogether with immediate effect, for the greater good of the Judiciary and the JSC,” he said.
The Judicial Service Commission oversees the recruitment, discipline, and supervision of judicial officers, making impartiality among its members crucial to maintaining trust in the justice system.
