Firebrand lawyer and political commentator Miguna Miguna has delivered a stark warning to President William Ruto, urging him to step back from what he describes as a dangerous path toward autocracy. The warning comes in the wake of President Ruto’s public declaration on Tuesday that his government would no longer adhere to court orders, which he claims are issued through corrupt means to undermine government projects.

Miguna’s intervention adds to the growing tension in the country, where fears of a constitutional crisis are mounting. President Ruto’s statements, which targeted judicial stays halting key government initiatives, have ignited widespread debate. The President vowed to defy court orders that he alleges are being weaponized to stifle his administration’s development agenda, particularly in sectors like healthcare and the economy.

In a direct social media post aimed at the President, Miguna warned Ruto against yielding to “sycophantic” advisors who might be encouraging him to bypass the law in favor of authoritarian measures. While acknowledging the pervasive nature of corruption, Miguna took a sharp aim at State House, pointing out that even the President’s office is not immune from corrupt practices.

Miguna urged Ruto to tackle corruption within his ranks through established legal processes, rather than resorting to intimidation or unlawful methods. He cautioned the President, saying, “Do not become a tyrant,” and reminded him that patriotic Kenyans remain committed to defending the Constitution and upholding the rule of law, no matter the cost.

The conflict stems from a series of High Court rulings that have hindered the rollout of President Ruto’s flagship Bottom-Up Economic Agenda. Several critical legislative initiatives, including the Social Health Insurance Act, the Primary Health Care Act, and the Digital Health Act, were halted after a legal challenge from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU). These rulings have effectively stalled the government’s efforts to implement Universal Health Coverage, a key promise that Ruto had hoped to launch in January.

In response, President Ruto has escalated his rhetoric, accusing unnamed judicial officials of colluding with corrupt cartels to siphon funds from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). He has labeled the recent injunctions as “judicial tyranny” and vowed to take strong action against those he believes are obstructing the government’s health reforms. Despite his criticism, the President insists he still respects the independence of the judiciary, even as he pushes for a national dialogue on alleged judicial misconduct.

Legal experts and critics, however, are sounding alarms, warning that the President’s remarks could undermine the separation of powers and threaten the integrity of the judiciary. As the suspension of the Social Health Insurance Act remains in place until at least February 2024, the ongoing standoff between the Executive and Judiciary continues to create uncertainty, casting a shadow over the future of Ruto’s key development objectives.