CJ Koome bows to pressure, responds to bribery allegations and calls for transparency
By Amina Wako |
To ensure accountability, CJ Koome directed the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to deploy an investigative team to engage directly with Ahmednasir.
Chief Justice Martha Koome has responded to mounting pressure from Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi over allegations of judicial bribery, sparking a heated debate on the integrity of Kenya’s judiciary.
The accusations, which implicate unnamed judges and intermediaries, have drawn widespread public interest.
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In a detailed statement, CJ Koome revealed that Prof. PLO Lumumba had alerted her to the alleged corruption within the Judiciary. However, she noted that the claims lacked critical details, such as the identities of those allegedly involved.
“I received a letter from Prof. PLO Lumumba urging action on the state of the judiciary, particularly alleged incidents of corruption,” said CJ Koome.
She emphasised the judiciary’s commitment to ethical standards, adding, “Judges, judicial officers, and staff are required to uphold the highest ethical standards in keeping with our oath of office."
Lumumba had acknowledged the dedication of many judicial officers, describing them as “witnesses to the best efforts and best intentions.” However, the allegations have highlighted a need for more robust mechanisms to address corruption concerns.
To ensure accountability, CJ Koome directed the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to deploy an investigative team to engage directly with Ahmednasir.
“I ask Ahmednasir Abdullahi, SC, to cooperate with the officers from the JSC if indeed the allegations made are in honest faith and with a view to ensuring that the Judiciary operates in an open and transparent manner for the benefit of all Kenyans,” read her statement.
However, Ahmednasir rejected the invitation to cooperate unless the investigation included seven Supreme Court judges, including CJ Koome herself.
“I will not cooperate! I will only cooperate if the investigation also touches on the 7 judges (or at least 4) of the Supreme Court, including CJ Koome. That is the only time I will share all my classified files on JurisPESA,” he asserted.
In a bid to ensure impartiality, CJ Koome has referred the matter to multiple 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.
This multi-agency approach aims to ensure comprehensive investigations under constitutional and legal provisions.
Responding to Lumumba’s call for dialogue, CJ Koome has also scheduled a high-level consultative meeting to address persistent concerns about judicial integrity. The meeting will include representatives from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Senior Counsel Bar, JSC members, and court heads.
“This will involve outlining existing mechanisms within the Judiciary to combat corruption and promote accountability,” stated CJ Koome.
The agenda will focus on creating a roadmap for judicial reforms, providing updates on existing complaints, and enhancing transparency and accountability within the judiciary.
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