Judiciary Responds to Reports of Demoting Employees En Masse

President William Ruto and CJ Martha Koome during thelaunched the Annual State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice (SOJAR) report on November 4,2022
President William Ruto and CJ Martha Koome during the launch of the Annual State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice (SOJAR) report on November 4, 2022.
Martha Koome

The Judiciary, on Saturday, February 4, called out the Daily Nation Newspaper for what it termed as inaccurate reporting about an ongoing restructuring exercise in the Martha Koome-led arm of the government. 

In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the Judiciary sought to make records straight that there will be no redundancies after the re-organisation process. 

The Judiciary termed the report as alarming and one meant to cause disharmony among the Judicial workforce. 

"The Judiciary wishes to state that its employees form an integral part of its resources and have always remained at the epicenter of its transformation agenda. 

undated image of Judiciary entrance of the Supreme Court building in Nairobi, Kenya
The Judiciary building in Nairobi, Kenya
Photo
Judiciary

"In that regard, The Judicial Service Commission, while approving the Consultants’ report ensured that no employee would be declared redundant, or adversely affected especially taking into account the hard economic times," the statement read. 

It was reported on Friday, February 3, 2023, that the Judiciary is planning a major employment shakeup in which hundreds of staff will be demoted. 

The Judiciary noted that the re-organisation exercise was done in a humane approach, in review of "the existing human capacity in terms of competence, skills, qualifications and the market best practice."

According to the statement, the affected staff will be re-aligned in a manner that will enable the staff to become more productive in their new positions and work stations. 

“The aim of the restructuring process was to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Judiciary and make it more responsive towards the delivery of justice in the new constitutional dispensation," the statement read. 

Judicial Service Commission approved the re-organisation exercise after careful examination and evaluation of the initial proposals and recommendations. 

The re-oganisation exercise will allow staff who do not qualify for their current positions to take up other responsibilities that best suit them within the Judiciary. 

"The Judiciary will, therefore, continue monitoring the effects of its implementation and take corrective actions where appropriate, as it endeavours to accommodate existing capacity," read the Judiciary statement. 

From Left: Chief Justice Martha Koome, President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the Judiciary staff posing for a photo at Kasarani Stadium on September 13, 2022
From Left: Chief Justice Martha Koome, President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the Judiciary staff posing for a photo at Kasarani Stadium on September 13, 2022
PSCU