Chief Justice Martha Koome has made her position clear regarding the calls for her and the entire Supreme Court of Kenya bench to be removed from office.
The head of the Judiciary has faced significant pressure for months over allegations of misconduct and misbehavior.
Speaking on Monday, January 14, during a luncheon to welcome the new Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO, Abdi Muhamud, Koome firmly stated that she would not step down, asserting that her tenure is protected by the Constitution.
This statement comes after former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi filed a petition earlier on Monday, seeking to have the seven Supreme Court judges face a tribunal.
In this sworn affidavit received by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on January 13, 2025, Havi added the names of the other six Apex Court judges to the list of the judges he once kicked out of office asking the JSC, chaired by CJ Koome, to expedite their removal.
Nelson Havi file petition
The lawyer who has been a thorn in the flesh of CJ Koome asked JSC to recommend to President William Ruto to form a tribunal to investigate and remove the judges from office.
Havi claims bribery allegations against four judges of the Apex Court in the handling of the 2022 presidential election petition filed by the then Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga against President William Ruto.
Also Read: Nelson Havi & Other Lawyers Issue Deadline to Supreme Court Judges
The ruling saw the judges pronounce Odinga’s petition then as hot air and a world goose chase.
Similarly, the former LSK president claims that CJ Koome lacks leadership and direction as expected of a Chief Justice to lead the Judicial Service Commission.
Havi also referred to a 2022 contempt of court ruling in which he alongside his assistant Council Esther Ang’awa and Senior Council Ahmed Nasir Abdullahi were convicted and allegedly barred from appearing before the bench.
CJ Koome speaks
However, in a quick rejoinder, Koome stood her ground saying she will not bow down to pressure.
“You asked me whether I will resign, I would also ask you why would I resign? I have a tenure. I was appointed to serve for tenure, and you have not given me reasons why you would want me to resign. So, I think that is where I would leave the question unfortunately, I think we haven’t received the petition it’s probably being processed there we were there on the 7th and I didn’t see it,” she said.
Also Read: CJ Koome Addresses Hot Air Language Used to Dismiss Raila’s Case
The CJ further vowed to continue with the cleanup of the Judiciary with the help of EACC.
“So, we need to tell Kenyans that you cannot pay for government services, you cannot pay for justice, you cannot pay for Judicial services, you cannot pay a public officer because we are paid by the taxpayers to give the service.”
Previously, the Chief Justice has complained of cyber bullying and a plot to oust her.
Koome speaks during High Court Annual Human Rights Summit
Speaking at the High Court Annual Human Rights Summit on December last year, CJ Koome affirmed that she would not be intimidated into stepping down, in turn asserting that she was 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.
Before the remarks, Koome had directed the JSC Secretary to deploy an investigative team to engage directly with lawyer Abdullahi for his allegations of the Judiciary accepting bribes to dispense justice, to ensure accountability and transparency.
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