Chief Justice Martha Koome has issued a statement addressing public scrutiny, service delivery, and integrity concerns within the Judiciary amid attempts to kick her and other Supreme Court judges out of office.
Koome stated that the Judiciary has been placed under heightened public scrutiny.
She acknowledged that concerns have been raised not only about the Judiciary’s timelines and the quality of its service delivery but also about the integrity of a few individuals within its ranks across the country.
Koome said that this scrutiny is a moment of reckoning and an opportunity for deep reflection and reform.
“We as Judicial officers and judges find ourselves under trial and public examinations for how we manage cases and serve court users. Regrettably for renewed allegations of corruption at some of our few courts’ stations,” she said.
“It compels us to reaffirm our commitment to the values of integrity and efficiency that are at the heart of our calling to serve justice to the public.”
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CJ Koome Speaks of Corruption in Judiciary
The CJ noted that the Judiciary is facing renewed allegations of corruption within some of their court stations.
She emphasized that these allegations are concerning and cannot be ignored.
For this reason, Koome stated that they are intensifying their focus on improving case management to ensure that cases are not subjected to delays or administrative inefficiencies.
“We have said many times that Justice cannot be for sale, or it cannot be compromised for anything. We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy to corruption, and we are determined to enforce it without fear or favour,” Koome added.
Chief Justice Martha Koome said the Judiciary is strengthening the fight against corruption in the Judiciary through an intelligence-based approach in partnership with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
“We are complementing the complaints approach with an intelligence- based model that involves working closely with EACC and NIS,” the CJ added.
“This partnership allows us to proactively identify patterns, hotspots and individuals who may be engaging in corrupt practices and to intervene early.”
Also Read: Raphael Tuju Pens Letter to CJ Koome Over Petition Against Supreme Court Judges
Koome Speaks on Delayed Justice and Absenteeism
At the same time, Martha Koome addressed concerns about delays in justice and called for an end to unnecessary adjournments and the tendency to over-list matters in a single day.
According to the CJ, frequent adjournments not only delay justice but also contribute to growing public frustration and erode confidence in our courts.
Meanwhile, Koome revealed that she has seen court lists with as many as 50 cases, which leads to long delays, and in many cases, some of these matters are not reached at all.
“This practice is unfair to litigants and advocates who often wait in courts all day and return home unheard as judicial officers we should ensure that we only list a manageable number of cases each day guided by our capacity to hear and conclude them,” she added.
“It is unacceptable for a court to schedule hearings on days when the presiding officer is away, leading to disappointment and inconvenience for litigants and advocates.”
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