CJ Koome to Ruto: dropped corruption cases, not bail, pose real threat to justice

Chief Justice Martha Koome has defended the Judiciary’s use of anticipatory bail, pushing back against President William Ruto’s recent criticism of the legal provision.

Speaking on Thursday, August 14, during the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Annual Conference in Kwale, Koome insisted that anticipatory bail is a temporary measure that does not hinder the fight against corruption. She stressed that the real danger lies in the withdrawal of anti-corruption cases by the state.

“Anticipatory bail is a very interim relief and is issued for a limited number of days (14). It cannot be a threat to the administration of justice,” Koome said in response to remarks made by LSK President Faith Odhiambo.

The CJ underscored that suspects granted anticipatory bail remain answerable to the law and that the provision exists by constitutional design, not accident. “The only concern is to ensure accused persons attend trial and nothing more. Appellate mechanisms exist to review bail terms to ensure they are reasonable,” she added, rejecting suggestions that the Judiciary needs guidance on how to execute its mandate.

Her comments followed Ruto’s remarks at the National Devolution Conference on Wednesday, August 13, where he described anticipatory bail as a “Kenyan innovation that takes us backwards,” claiming it enables suspects to evade arrest and prosecution.

Attorney Dorcas Oduor, who also attended the conference, acknowledged that while anticipatory bail serves a purpose, its implementation has faced challenges, with some beneficiaries believing it shields them from accountability.

Koome further defended judicial independence, warning that no party, including the state, can choose which court orders to obey. “Any party aggrieved by a judicial decision must seek redress through appeals or reviews – not through defiance or vilification of judges or judicial officers,” she said.

The CJ cited figures from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) showing Kenya loses an estimated KSh608 billion annually to graft, equivalent to 7.6 per cent of the country’s GDP. She emphasized that failure to prosecute corruption cases is the true threat to justice.

LSK President Odhiambo supported Koome’s position, noting that anticipatory bail is a standard legal safeguard used globally and should not be mistaken as approval of crime.