Chief Justice Martha Koome has sounded the alarm over the reemergence of corruption within the Judiciary, warning that the vice is undermining public trust and compromising the integrity of the justice system.
Speaking during the Magistrates and Kadhis Colloquium held in Naivasha, CJ Koome revealed that her office has received several reports of corruption involving judicial staff, including instances where staff allegedly demand “facilitation fees” from members of the public seeking justice.
“Allegations of graft in the Judiciary cannot be ignored,” said Koome. “We should strive to ensure that we work in a corruption-free society, as the public has a lot of faith in us.”
To address the growing concern, CJ Koome announced the formation of Integrity Committees in all courts across the country. These committees will include representatives from:
The initiative aims to root out corruption at the grassroots level of the Judiciary and restore public confidence in the justice system.
CJ Koome also issued a stern warning to magistrates over the frequent adjournment of cases, which she noted is a major contributor to case backlogs. She urged judicial officers to adopt a culture of efficiency and accountability in delivering justice.
“The Judiciary is under intense public scrutiny. We must raise our standards and deliver justice without unnecessary delays,” she emphasized.
This year’s colloquium was themed: “Digital Transformation, Technology, and the Law.” It focused on how the Judiciary can leverage technology to streamline operations, improve case management, and enhance service delivery.
CJ Koome reaffirmed her commitment to judicial reforms, vowing to lead efforts to clean up the system and promote transparency and professionalism within the corridors of justice.
This comes at a time when Kenya’s Judiciary is facing mounting criticism over delayed rulings, perceived bias, and allegations of bribery in lower courts—challenges that Koome says must be addressed head-on to protect the rule of law and the credibility of judicial institutions.
