Chief Justice Martha Koome on Tuesday, October 22, made her first public appearance after claims that the three-judge bench was empanelled by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu.
In a video posted by the Judiciary, Judge Koome made a public appearance at the Makadara Law Courts in the afternoon.
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In the video, Martha Koome is seen interacting with the Makadara Law Courts staff, and other people who had gone to seek services at the court and responding to their queries.
Some of the members of the public who visited the Makadara Law Courts jokingly asked Koome about the court battles that the impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is facing but the CJ smiled but did not respond to their questions.
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Koome stated that she was there at the court to assess the security improvements and the efficiency of service to the people.
“I visited Makadara Law Courts this afternoon to gauge the security improvements and efficiency of service to the people.
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Martha Koome visits Makadara Law Courts
As we conclude preparations to issue the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Report, we are cognizant of the milestones realized in the FY 2023/24 to bring justice closer to the people,” Koome said.
“Magistrates Courts have recorded a case clearance rate of 98% with continued improvement. The Judiciary’s commitment is to decongest courts in Nairobi, especially Makadara,” the Chief Justice added.
Also Read: CJ Koome Clarifies Meeting President Ruto Today
Further, the Chief Justice said that the Judiciary is working round the clock to address the space and infrastructure challenges at Makadara to enhance the quality and efficiency of service delivery.
She further pledged that she will continue to work with other justice actors through the court users’ committees to address reported inefficiencies in handling criminal cases, particularly timely plea-taking and bail/bond procedures.
The empanelment of three bench judges by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu to hear Gachagua’s impeachment case has caused an uproar among several leaders allied to Gachagua and his lawyers.
Gachagua lawyers raise legal questions on the appointment of judges
Gachagua’s lawyers led by Ndegwa Njiru argue that duties such as appointing a judge cannot be delegated to the Deputy Chief Justice making it unconstitutional.
They argue that the role of empanelment solely belongs to the Chief Justice and that role cannot be delegated even in her absence.
Also Read: CJ Koome Clarifies Meeting President Ruto Today
On Monday, October 22, the impeached Deputy President’s lawyers wrote a letter to the Judiciary questioning how one of the cases challenging his impeachment was placed before a 3-judge bench on Saturday, October 19, without consulting Chief Justice Martha Koome.
“We act for His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya (hereafter referred to as “our Client” who is the Petitioner in this matter,” the letter read in part.
The letter addressed to the Judiciary specifically highlighted that the three-Judge-Bench was composed of 6 cases, and the two cases they now want to work on, on Tuesday, October 22 were not among them.
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