CJ Koome Urges Public Vigilance in Reporting Corrupt Judicial Officers

Chief Justice Martha Koome has called on Kenyans to take a more active role in safeguarding the integrity of the Judiciary by reporting any judicial officers suspected of engaging in corruption.

She emphasized that corruption within the justice system undermines public trust, delays service delivery, and weakens the rule of law. According to her, restoring confidence in the courts requires both institutional reforms and public participation.

The Chief Justice made the remarks during a visit to the Mavoko Law Courts, where she engaged with judicial officers, court users, and members of the public. The visit formed part of her ongoing tour of courts across the country aimed at assessing service delivery and identifying operational challenges affecting the justice system.

Koome urged citizens not to remain silent when they encounter unethical behaviour in court processes. She noted that the Judiciary has established clear complaint and reporting mechanisms that allow the public to safely report misconduct without fear of victimisation.

“We cannot fight corruption alone as an institution. The public is a key partner in ensuring accountability,” she stated, adding that transparency in reporting wrongdoing is essential in strengthening justice delivery.

She further warned judicial officers against engaging in corrupt dealings, stressing that disciplinary action would be taken against anyone found guilty of misconduct. According to her, the Judiciary is committed to enforcing strict ethical standards and ensuring that all officers adhere to their professional code of conduct.

During her engagement at the court station, Koome also listened to concerns raised by court users, who highlighted issues such as delays in case handling, limited staffing, and occasional inefficiencies in service delivery. She assured them that reforms are ongoing to address these challenges and improve the overall experience for litigants and lawyers.

The Chief Justice reiterated that the Judiciary has been implementing a series of reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, including digitalisation of court processes, improved case management systems, and strengthening internal oversight mechanisms.

She noted that corruption remains one of the biggest threats to justice delivery, warning that even isolated cases of misconduct can damage the reputation of the entire institution. For this reason, she called for a culture of accountability at all levels of the Judiciary.

Koome also encouraged judicial officers to maintain professionalism and integrity in their duties, reminding them that they play a critical role in upholding constitutional values and protecting the rights of citizens.

The Chief Justice concluded by reaffirming the Judiciary’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption and urged Kenyans to support ongoing reforms by reporting any irregularities they observe within the justice system.