The office of the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) on has issued formal demands to Chief Justice Martha Koome in response to the growing complaints against the Judiciary, particularly concerning the conduct of certain judges and magistrates.
CAJ Chairperson Charles Dulo urged Koome to resolve pending complaints and publish a status report on all cases within 21 days.
”Pursuant to its mandate under the Constitution, the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, and the Access to Information Act, the Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) has, vide a letter dated 3rd February 2025, urged the Chief Justice, Hon. Martha K. Koome, to speedily and conclusively resolve complaints against the Judiciary,” read part of the statement by the CAJ.
‘In addition, the Chief Justice has been urged to publish and publicise a status report on all such complaints in fulfillment of the provisions of Article 35(3) of the Constitution and Section 5 of the Access to Information Act. The CAJ has further requested the Chief Justice to submit a compliance report on the status of such complaints to the Office of the Ombudsman within the next twenty-one (21) days.”
The commission revealed it had lodged over 700 cases of mal-administration with the Judiciary in the last five years, with only 40% resolved, limiting access to justice for Kenyans.
‘The CAJ has received and forwarded over 700 cases of maladministration to the Judiciary in the last five years, nearly 60 per cent of which remain unresolved, undermining the quest for justice for aggrieved Kenyans,” CAJ noted.
The CAJ also pressed Koome to act on allegations of corruption involving six magistrates and two judges and ensure the Judiciary upholds its constitutional role of providing checks and balances.
Pressure on the Judiciary continues to mount amid concerns over corruption and accountability.