Chief Justice Martha Koome has spoken about the possibility of resignation due to increased criticism. The Chief Justice has vowed to remain put despite the intensified calls for her to leave office as the Supreme Court of Kenya President.
Speaking at the High Court Annual Human Rights Summit on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, CJ Koome affirmed that she will not be intimidated into stepping down, in turn asserting that she is a victim of cyberbullying.
The CJ stated that cyberbullying is a form of technologically facilitated Gender-Based Violence (GBV), intended to disrupt her and ultimately force her out of office.
“I’m a victim of cyberbullying, it’s a technologically facilitated Gender-Based Violence, but I know the intentions it’s a business model, don’t know to achieve what, maybe to scare me, disrupt me, to defame me and haunt me out of office but they can try something else,” she said.
During the event, Koome lauded the High Court for what she said is a significant achievement in defending the rights to assemble and protest.
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CJ Koome speaks during High Court Annual Human Rights Summit
She also said the court has played a critical role in enhancing good governance and democracy.
“One of the High Court’s significant achievements is its defence of the right to peaceful assembly and protest,” Koome said
She added, “At a time when courts in other jurisdictions may have turned a blind eye or sanctioned heavy-handed approaches, the High Court of Kenya courageously intervened to chart a delicate balance between law enforcement and the constitutional right to peaceful protest.”
Koome at the same time said the court has played a critical role in enhancing good governance and democracy.
While acknowledging the achievements, the High Court has achieved, the Chief Justice pointed out challenges that still persist.
“Despite the progressive and transformative human rights jurisprudence from the High Court and superior courts generally, Kenya still grapples with serious human rights challenges,” Koome added.
She also warned against abuse of the court process in a manner that will allow activities deemed economic crimes.
Corruption in the Judiciary
Koome’s remarks on the possibility of resigning comes hours after the CJ bowed to pressure mounted by Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi over allegations of the Judiciary accepting bribes to dispense justice.
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The claims, which have sparked public interest, accuse unnamed judges and alleged intermediaries of engaging in bribery.
In a statement, CJ Koome noted this was brought to her attention by lawyer PLO Lumumba.
However, she indicated that the allegations lacked specifics, such as the identities of the implicated judges or the intermediaries purportedly involved.
To ensure accountability and transparency, the Chief Justice directed the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to deploy an investigative team to engage directly with lawyer Abdullahi.
“I ask Ahmednasir Abdullahi, SC to cooperate with the officers from the JSC if indeed the allegations made are in good faith and with a view to ensuring that the Judiciary operates in an open and transparent manner for the benefit of all Kenyans,” read the statement in part.
However, the lawyer responded saying that he will not cooperate unless the investigation includes CJ Koome.
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