Supreme Court president and Kenyas Chief Justice Martha Koome has responded to President William Ruto’s remarks on the conduct of the Judiciary.

In a strong worded statement Koome warned that the Judiciary was an independent and co-equal arm of government. She also urged all Judges and Judicial Officers to continue performing their judicial duties without fear or favour.  

“The Commission wishes to draw the attention of State and Public Officers to the fact that the Constitution places positive duties on the State to ensure respect for the law and adherence to the law by providing citizens with effective mechanisms for resolving disputes between themselves and between them and the State. 

“Where a citizen obtains a court order against the State and that court order is deliberately ignored or disobeyed by State officials, the right of access to justice is undermined because it fatally attacks the effectiveness of the legal system on which ordinary citizens rely to have their rights and legal duties enforced,” Koome stated. 

“The JSC assures all Kenyans that any allegations or complaints of misconduct or corruption by any Judge or Judicial Officer will be dealt with firmly and swiftly in accordance with the Constitution,” read the statement in part.

“The JSC has a proven record of taking action against any judicial officer who is found to have breached the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics or engaged in corrupt practices. The JSC therefore encourages anyone with information on any act that threatens the integrity of judicial processes and outcomes to report any such cases to the JSC for determinate action.”

Koome further called upon all Kenyans to report any act that threatens the integrity of the judicial processes and allow JSC to investigate them. 

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