CJ Koome vows zero tolerance for corruption in the Judiciary
Chief Justice Martha Koome has firmly stated that the Judiciary will not tolerate corruption and is committed to enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against unethical practices.
She revealed a new strategy to combat corruption, one that focuses on intelligence-based efforts and includes collaboration with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Speaking on Tuesday, Koome addressed the ongoing issue of corruption within the courts, acknowledging the disturbing allegations that continue to surface at various court stations.
She emphasized that these issues must be dealt with swiftly and decisively.
“These allegations are deeply concerning and cannot be ignored. I want to state once again, unequivocally, that the Judiciary is a corruption-free zone, and we must implement this policy through both words and actions,” Koome said.
In her statement, the Chief Justice pointed out that the Judiciary’s previous approach to handling corruption, relying on complaints made to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) or the Judiciary Ombudsman, had its limits.
To improve the process, Koome announced the adoption of an intelligence-based strategy, which allows authorities to identify patterns of corruption before they escalate.
“We are now complementing the complaints approach with an intelligence-based model that involves working closely with the EACC and NIS. This partnership allows us to proactively identify patterns, hotspots, and individuals who may be engaging in corrupt practices and to intervene early,” Koome explained.
Koome also stressed that the Judiciary’s stance on corruption is unwavering and will be enforced without bias.
“We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, and we are determined to enforce it without fear or favor,” she added.
In addition to corruption, the Chief Justice pointed out that inefficiencies in court operations, such as the frequent adjournments and overwhelming case schedules, also contribute to delays in delivering justice.
Koome criticized the practice of scheduling too many cases in one day, leading to unnecessary delays and cases being left unheard.
To address these inefficiencies, Koome urged judicial officers to ensure that only a manageable number of cases are scheduled each day based on the capacity to hear and conclude them.
“As judicial officers, we must ensure that we only list a manageable number of cases each day, guided by our capacity to hear and conclude them,” she stated.
Describing the current moment as a critical time for reform, the Chief Justice called for a renewed focus on integrity and efficiency in the Judiciary.
“This is a moment of reckoning, an opportunity for deep reflection and reform. It compels us to reaffirm our commitment to the values of integrity and efficiency that define our calling to serve justice to the public,” Koome said.
Koome assured the public that the Judiciary is committed to rooting out corruption and administrative inefficiencies, ensuring that justice is delivered in a timely and transparent manner.