Chief Justice David Maraga has announced plans to create a new investigative arm within the judiciary to deal with corrupt staff.
He disclosed that they had began talks with the National Police Service to partner with the Ombudsman's office to purge the judiciary of corrupt officials.
“Corruption is there in every sector of our society. In the Judiciary, which I head, reports of corruption remain high despite concerted efforts to address the vice in the institution.
"This, even after the vetting process which saw 11 judges and 14 magistrates being found unsuitable to continue serving,” he stated.
Maraga declared that Kenyans must understand the extent to which theft of public resources affects them explaining that, for instance, stealing funds meant for education is the same as stealing a child's future.
[caption caption="CJ David Maraga"]
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“Let us always never lose sight of the fact that stealing of public resources meant for children’s education is tantamount to stealing our children’s future. Every time a mother dies at childbirth due to lack of a health facility, we must relate this to the stealing of funds meant to provide basic health services.
"Even road accidents that continue to claim our people can be attributed to bribery on Kenyan roads and neglect of our road infrastructure, which possibly includes stealing of funds meant to maintain our roads,” Maraga elucidated.
Speaking at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Nanyuki during a forum on corruption, Maraga called for various agencies to work together in the fight against corruption.
The workshop was attended by officials of, among others, the judiciary, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
Maraga cited a 2014 EACC report that listed Low transparency levels, dissapearance of court files, bribery and favouritism as among the biggest concerns when it comes to corruption in the judiciary.
[caption caption="CJ David Maraga"]
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