Chief Justice Martha Koome has vowed to fight corruption in the judiciary, terming the vice a crime against humanity.
The CJ, who had previously remained silent on the matter, has now come out swinging with a scathing assessment. Koome, in an opinion published on Wednesday, said laws alone are not enough to fight the vice.
“Corruption is not only an ethical violation or a technical offence but, quite literally, a crime against humanity. Corruption denies citizens their rights, their dignity and their future,” Koome warned.
Adding, “Unless we stop it once and for all, we may leave behind no nation for our posterity.” In the judiciary, Kenyans paid an average of Ksh49,611, according to the 2023 National Ethics and Corruption Survey.
In 2024, the national average bribe amount dropped from Ksh11,625 in 2023 to Ksh 4,878; however, corruption still remains prevalent.
According to Koome, corruption has penetrated every sector of the country and has become so entrenched that it is now normalised. However, in the scathing piece, the CJ argues that corruption penalises the common Kenyan.
“It sees corruption in the justice system as much more than a legal or administrative problem, but rather one of the greatest existential threats to our social, economic and political well-being,” Koome stated.
Adding, “Laws are therefore not enough; we must transform values and behaviour at all levels of society.”
The CJ said the judiciary has instituted court integrity committees composed of stakeholders to identify corruption risks, promote ethical practices, and recommend prevention measures in all courts.
“We have the Office of the Judiciary Ombudsperson and a Judicial Service Commission as independent recourse for the public to lodge complaints that are then investigated and determined transparently,” she said.
Insisting, “We have also established confidential hotlines to report bribery and unethical practices within courts.”
While defending the courts, CJ Koome said judges have not shied away from making adverse rulings against high-profile officials accused of corruption.
“Our courts have not bowed to technicalities or political convenience to protect those who are faced with economic crimes. The judiciary’s stance is clear: the corrupt will not have a safe haven among us, and we will not aid and abet the same,” she stated.
But even with all of the measures the judiciary and other government agencies have taken to combat corruption, bribery still poses a significant obstacle for Kenyans looking for services or even just getting from one location to another.
