CJ Martha Koome rules out resigning. Lawyer Nelson Havi petitions JSC to probe judges. The accusations against judges include corruption, gross misconduct, contempt conviction, and misuse of public office, among others.
Nine judges, including CJ Koome, face petitions over alleged gross misconduct and misbehaviour.
Former LSK President Nelson Havi files a 253-page affidavit of complaint to JSC for the removal of CJ Martha Koome and all the Supreme Court judges; he cites corruption as the core reason with 5 other reasons.
Here are the recent updates about the allegations of misconduct against judges in Kenya, including Chief Justice Martha Koome:
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has received five complaints against different judges, including CJ Koome. These complaints were filed by lawyer Nelson Havi.
The allegations involve serious misconduct and bad behaviour. Mr. Havi filed a petition on January 10, 2025, asking for Koome and other judges to be removed from their positions due to these claims.
The JSC has said they will look into these complaints carefully. If they find the claims to be valid, they may recommend creating a tribunal for President William Ruto for further action.
There has been a lot of discussion among the public and the legal community about these allegations. Many people on social media have called for CJ Koome to resign because of rising claims of corruption in the judiciary.
Prominent lawyers, including Nelson Havi and Ahmednasir Abdullahi, have criticized the judiciary, saying it hasn’t done enough to fight corruption and suggesting that Koome’s leadership is not effective.
In response, CJ Koome has asked for proof when addressing claims against judges and has rejected calls for her to step down. She said that some of the criticisms against her are unfair attacks, comparing them to bullying or violence against women online, indicating that there may be efforts to intimidate her.
To tackle these issues, Koome has started meetings with important people, like members of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and JSC, to discuss ways to fight corruption and improve transparency in the judiciary.
The JSC’s role is to ensure judges are accountable while also protecting their independence. This process includes checking the complaints, holding hearings, and possibly suggesting tribunals for judges if wrongdoing is proven.
Overall, this situation emphasizes a crucial time for Kenya’s judiciary, urging its members to handle allegations of misconduct openly and follow the rules while also keeping the public’s trust in the independence of the judiciary.
