Martha Koome Fires Back at Judiciary's Critics, Warns Against Attacks on Judicial Officers
- Chief Justice Martha Koome warned that attacks on judges and judicial officers threaten judicial independence, calling them a grave affront to the rule of law
- Koome urged parties aggrieved by court decisions, including the government, to seek redress through appeals or reviews, not by defying or vilifying the Judiciary
- She defended anticipatory bail, stressing it protects individuals’ rights before charges are filed and does not obstruct justice, noting interim orders usually last 14 days
- Koome highlighted zero tolerance for corruption, launching a Judiciary mobile app to prevent bribery, with LSK president Faith Odhiambo backing her stance
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Chief Justice Martha Koome has taken a firm stand against mounting criticism of Kenya’s Judiciary.
Source: Twitter
The CJ warned that attacks on judges and judicial officers threaten the core principle of judicial independence.
Speaking on Thursday, August 14, at the Annual Law Society of Kenya (LSK) conference in Diani, Kwale county, Koome described the ongoing public attacks as a “grave affront to the rule of law,” likening them to a period when the authority of the courts was routinely undermined.
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However, the Supreme Court president stressed that her leadership remains unshaken despite the threats.
"My position has been unequivocal. Any party aggrieved by a judicial decision, even the government, must seek redress through appeals or reviews, not through defiance or vilification of judges or judicial officers. No one has the right to choose which court orders to obey and which to ignore," Koome said.
Koome also underscored that judicial independence does not equate to immunity from accountability.
The CJ’s comments came amid a growing debate over anticipatory bail, following remarks by President William Ruto, where he accused the Judiciary of abetting corruption by granting such bail.
The president claimed some suspects use the mechanism to shield themselves from arrest and prosecution, arguing that it undermines Kenya’s fight against corruption.
How did Koome respond to Ruto?
Koome defended the practice, noting that anticipatory bail safeguards individuals whose rights may be threatened through arrest or detention before charges are filed.
She clarified that interim orders are typically limited to 14 days and do not hinder justice.
"The danger today is the withdrawal of many corruption cases. I have called for data on how many anticipatory bail cases we have. The real danger to the administration of justice is the failure to prosecute corruption cases," she said to applause from attendees
She reiterated her zero-tolerance stance on corruption, highlighting the launch of a Judiciary mobile app aimed at preventing bribery.
Source: Facebook
LSK president Faith Odhiambo backed Koome, clarifying that anticipatory bail is not a Kenyan invention nor a judicial endorsement of crime.
Odhiambo dismissed blanket disapproval of anticipatory bail, asserting that the rule of law relies on an independent Judiciary.
"The standard requirements for granting anticipatory bail are well documented and provide safeguards against abuse of discretion. It is neither a Kenyan innovation granted on whims nor does it amount to endorsing crime," Odhiambo opined.
How do Kenyan MPs encourage graft?
Earlier, Ruto accused members of parliamentary committees of soliciting bribes from government officials to produce favourable reports.
Ruto expressed concern that corruption is becoming institutionalised within parliament, undermining its oversight role.
Ruto emphasised that such practices erode public trust and hinder good governance.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
