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Why Isaac Ruto's job at JSC is on the line
Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto (left) and former Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat at the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party consultative forum for elected leaders and aspirants for various positions at Bomet IAAF Stadium on January 7, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Former JSC Vice Chairperson Macharia Njeru wants Mr Ruto to resign from the commission.
- Mr Isaac Ruto has declared interest in Bomet Governor’s seat in next year's General Election.
Former Bomet County Governor Isaac Ruto’s neutrality at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is a subject of questions over accusations of being involved in active partisan politics associated with President William Ruto’s UDA party.
Immediate former JSC Vice Chairperson Macharia Njeru in a protest letter laid before Chief Justice Martha Koome, who chairs JSC, wants Mr Ruto the former Bomet County Governor to resign from the commission citing his presence at the recent UDA National Governing Council (NGC) meeting at State House.
The meeting was chaired by UDA party leader, President Ruto.
While calling for sanctions against the JSC Vice Chairperson, Mr Njeru notes that “this conduct by a State Officer is a big threat to the independence of the judiciary” as it “flies in the face of the express provisions” of the constitution, the Leadership and Integrity Act and the code of conduct.
“From images and texts published in the media, Isaac Ruto has been sighted attending UDA party meetings the most recent being the NGC at State House,” says Mr Njeru, an advocate of the High Court, in his January 27, 2026 letter to CJ Koome, the President of the Supreme Court of Kenya.
“My expectation is that Hon Ruto will exclude himself from participating in the remaining interviews for the Judge positions and proceed to resign from the commission altogether with immediate effect for the greater good of our Judiciary and the JSC too,” the letter adds.
Mr Njeru, the immediate former JSC Vice Chairperson, was succeeded by Mr Ruto after his five-year term was not renewed.
Actively engaged in politics
He notes that it was “equally understood amongst us as commissioners that we could not engage in partisan politics while still in office.”
“I do not believe the policy at the commission has changed.”
Article 171 (4) of the constitution states that the members of the JSC, apart from the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General, shall hold office, “provided that they remain qualified, for a term of five years and shall be eligible to be nominated for one further term of five years.”
Mr Ruto who has declared interest in Bomet Governor’s seat in next year's General Election had not responded to inquiries sent to his known number by press time of this story's publication.
“It is unprecedented for a JSC commissioner to openly associate and work with a political party or actively engage in politics while still in office.”
Article 171 of the constitution establishes the JSC with the responsibility to among others, promote and facilitate the independence and accountability of the judiciary and the efficient, effective and transparent administration of justice including recommending to the President persons for appointment as judges.
Mr Njeru notes that having served as commissioner and Vice Chairperson at the JSC, “I am aware that continued open and active involvement in politics was a factor used by the commission to exclude candidates for judge positions from making it to the shortlist.”
This, Mr Njeru says, was done “primarily to shield the judiciary from getting muddled up in partisan politics.”
“To now have a commissioner who is also the Vice Chairperson doing the exact same thing that is frowned upon is unacceptable and I feel compelled to raise the matter directly with the commission through you.”
