Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome has appointed 101 Magistrates who will hear and determine corruption and economic crime cases across various law courts in Kenya.
CJ Koome in a gazette notice dated October 4 said the magistrates will handle cases at their current and future court stations as they may be deployed from time to time.
She added that the appointment will help expedite the hearing and determination of corruption cases that have dragged in court for ages.
The appointments will take effect on Tuesday October 8 and the decision is aimed at reducing the backlog of graft cases that have continued to rise and to boost the efficiency and reach of Kenya’s anti-corruption efforts.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 (1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 1. Martha K. Koome, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, appoint the following magistrates to preside over cases relating to corruption and economic crimes in the areas of jurisdiction of their current court stations and future stations deployed to from time to time, with effect from the 8th of October 2024,” Koome said.
CJ Koome Appoints Magistrates
Among the appointed magistrates are Martha Akoth Opanga, Winfrida Onkunya Kemunto, Moses Wanyonyi Wanjala, Charles Mwaniki Kamau, Alice Chemosop Towett, and Rose Mugeni Ndombi.
Also in the list is Willy Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Margaret Wanjeri Murage, David Muchangi Ireri, Herbert Inonda Mwendwa, Becky Mulemia Cheloti, Angeline Achieng A. Odawo and Carolyne Naliaka Njalale.
Others include Millicent Chepkurui Nyigei, Claire Nanjala Wanyama, Paul Matanda Wechuli, Phoebe Yiswa Kulecho, Lucy Khahendi Sindani Jocelyn Rino Kimetto Vincent Mugendi Nyaga, Caroline R.T. Ateya, and Dennis Onyango Ogal.
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Koome has in the past acknowledged that corruption remains a persistent issue both within and outside the judiciary, calling it “a national embarrassment.”
In an earlier interview Koome expressed concern over the prolonged prosecution of corruption and embezzlement cases involving public funds.
On September 16 during Judiciary -Development Partners Annual Roundtable Meeting, the CJ called for collaboration in the fight against graft.
“I am pleased to inform you that the Anti-Corruption Committee of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) has developed a Guiding Framework for this renewed war on corruption,” said Lady Justice Koome.
She added, “I urge you, our partners, to join and support us when we begin the process of implementing this Guiding Framework on Anti-Corruption in order have a united front in this critical fight against corruption.”
Consequently, in July, President William Ruto announced key measures his administration will implement to combat corruption, a challenge that previous governments have struggled to eliminate.
Ruto explained that these actions were in response to public calls for greater accountability and transparency from the government.
He revealed plans to propose amendments to the Evidence Act and Criminal Procedure Code, along with other necessary reforms, aiming to ensure that corruption cases are expedited and resolved within six months.
Also Read: CJ Koome Revisits Anti-Ruto Protests and Police Abductions
EACC Corruption Report
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in their National Ethics and Corruption Survey Report, 2023 released on March listed the Police, Immigration Department and Registrar of Persons as government departments perceived as most prone to corruption, with greed and desire for quick services as major causes of corruption in public service.
In the survey five out of 10 perceiving that corruption has been increasing and that giving and receiving bribes, abuse of office, favoritism, nepotism and deliberate delay in service provision are perceived as the leading forms of corruption and unethical conduct in public service.
Corruption is a cancer that manifests itself in many ways. In Kenya, rampant corruption has continued to undermine country’s ambition towards achieving its development goals and poses a threat to national security.
It aggravates inequality and harms the poor the most, increasing costs and reducing access to basic services, such as health, education, justice, and electricity.
Besides, the continued appointment of individuals with tainted integrity and persons accused of corruption to the helm of public service administration at both national and county levels continue to undermine the fight against corruption.
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