CJ Martha Koome transfers 33 judges in major judicial reshuffle

Chief Justice Martha Koome has effected the transfer of 33 judges, moving them from their current stations to new ones.

The changes, communicated in a letter dated December 16, 2024, by High Court Principal Justice Eric Ogola, were addressed to all High Judges.

Among the judges affected by the move are Justice Alfred Mabeya, who has been transferred from the Commercial and Tax Division in Nairobi to Kisumu. Justice Jesse Nyaga has been moved from Marsabit to Garsen, while Justice Stephen Githinji will now serve in Meru instead of Malindi.

Lady Justice Olga Sewe is transferred from Mombasa to Homa Bay, and Justice Francis Andayi moves from Mombasa to Kwale.

The reshuffling comes a week after Koome agreed to meet with renowned lawyer Prof. PLO Lumumba to address corruption allegations within the Judiciary.

On December 5, Prof Lumumba wrote a letter to Koome urging her to take immediate action to restore the integrity of the Judiciary. He criticised the Judiciary over bribery allegations involving judicial officers in Mombasa, which he described as “JurisPesa” – a practice of accepting bribes or other inducements in exchange for favourable rulings.

“Your Ladyship, the time to act through the Judicial Service Commission is now. The allegations in the public domain can no longer be dismissed. To illustrate the reputational damage, whenever I travel abroad, people frequently reference Kenya’s corrupt Judiciary,” Lumumba wrote.

Koome confirmed that the meeting would include representatives from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Senior Counsel Bar, members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), and heads of courts.

The meeting aimed to formulate a comprehensive plan that ensures complaints regarding corruption and misconduct by judges, judicial officers, and staff are addressed effectively by the JSC. The meeting also sought to provide updates on ongoing complaints and discuss the mechanisms in place to fight corruption and improve transparency and accountability in the Judiciary.

“I have accepted and convened a consultative meeting to comprehensively discuss concerns regarding integrity within the Judiciary and the legal profession,” Koome said.

Additionally, Koome directed the Secretary of the JSC to deploy an investigative team to engage with Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, who made serious allegations of judicial bribery.

The claims have ignited widespread public debate on the integrity of Kenya’s Judiciary, though Koome pointed out that the allegations lacked crucial details, such as the identities of those allegedly involved.

To ensure impartiality in the investigation, Koome referred the matter to various investigative agencies, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the Inspector General of Police.

“I urge Ahmednasir Abdullahi, SC, to cooperate with the officers from the JSC if his allegations are made in good faith and aimed at promoting an open and transparent Judiciary for the benefit of all Kenyans,” Koome said.

The invitation for a meeting marked a shift in Koome’s stance, as she had previously dismissed the corruption allegations as unfounded. On November 22, Koome rejected Ahmednasir’s claims, asserting that no one had ever attempted to bribe her during her 22 years in judicial service.

“The allegations [are] intended to tarnish my reputation and distract me from my duties. I know who I am, what I have done, and what I intend to do,” Koome said.

“In all these 22 years as a judge and Chief Justice, no one has ever approached me with a bribe. If they had, I would have had them arrested.”

Koome also emphasised that some of the criticism directed at her is rooted in gender bias. “It is pure misogyny. It is total chauvinism,” she added.