CJ Koome Pushes Back on Ruto: “Anticipatory Bail Is Not Corruption Shield”

Nairobi, August 15, 2025 — Chief Justice Martha Koome strongly countered President William Ruto’s assertion that anticipatory bail is undermining the anti-corruption campaign. Speaking at the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Annual Conference in Diani, Kwale County, Koome clarified that anticipatory bail is a short-term legal protection—not a barrier to prosecution.

What Was Said—and What It Means

• Anticipatory bail lasts just 14 days, she emphasized, designed to prevent unlawful arrest, not to prevent courts from pursuing cases.

• The real problem, Justice Koome warned, is the withdrawal of corruption cases by the State, not bail. She called for more transparency and follow-through in prosecutions.

• She noted that constitutional bail provisions are deliberate safeguards to protect defendant rights—not accidental loopholes to be exploited. Appeals are available for those who feel bail terms are unreasonable.

• Justice Koome reaffirmed that the judiciary must remain independent—and that grievances should be addressed through appeals, not public attacks on judges.

• Citing EACC data, she said that Kenya loses Ksh 608 billion annually to corruption, stressing that this staggering figure demands serious prosecution—not bail-related excuses.

Quick Summary

Justice Koome’s remarks mark a clear assertion of judicial independence—a firm reminder that protecting constitutional rights is essential to fairness, not an obstruction to justice.