Ruto: corruption biggest threat to the 2010 Constitution

President William Ruto speaks during the Katiba Day celebrations at KICC, Nairobi, on August 27, 2025. /PCS

President William Ruto has warned that corruption across all arms of government poses the greatest danger to the 2010 Constitution, 15 years after its promulgation.

Speaking during the inaugural Katiba Day celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Wednesday, Ruto said entrenched graft has weakened key institutions and denied Kenyans the full benefits of the charter.

“It is a fact that corruption exists in all arms of government—the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary—and each must confront this menace with honesty and resolve,” he said.

The President admitted that even within the executive, corruption remains “alarmingly high” despite recent efforts to tighten systems.

He said his administration has automated and digitised more than 22,000 government services to close loopholes, boosting daily revenue collection from Sh60 million to over Sh1 billion — or more than Sh500 billion annually.

“Corruption must be chased down every alley, every corridor, and every corner of the Executive by every well-meaning citizen whenever it is spotted,” he added.

Ruto challenged Parliament and the Judiciary to clean up their own houses, questioning whether MPs would be “counted among those who enforce accountability or those who undermine the Constitution by entrenching corruption.”

He also urged the Judiciary to address public concerns around corruption in the courts.

“The Judiciary must rise to its highest calling: to cleanse itself, uphold its independence with integrity, and prove itself the true temple of justice for all Kenyans,” he said.

The Head of State also highlighted his government’s programmes aimed at realising the Bill of Rights, which guarantees every Kenyan access to food, health, education, housing, water, and dignity.

These include universal healthcare, the affordable housing agenda, and a student-centered higher education funding model.

On devolution, Ruto pledged to continue strengthening county governments, noting that since 2022, his administration has accelerated the transfer of all 14 devolved functions.

He said counties have benefited from timely and increased allocations, including an unprecedented Sh415 billion under the Division of Revenue Act, 2025—up from Sh387 billion the previous year.

“Since the birth of devolution 12 years ago, the national government has transferred a total of KSh4 trillion to counties,” he said, adding that the County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the County Allocation of Revenue Act, 2025, were enacted to guarantee fairness in resource distribution.

The Katiba Day event, marking 15 years since the Constitution was promulgated on August 27, 2010, was attended by top state officials, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Chief Justice Martha Koome, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, governors, diplomats, and other dignitaries.