What You Need to Know
Chief Justice Martha Koome has committed to addressing corruption in the Judiciary after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) report raised integrity concerns. She announced a structured review of the findings and outlined measures to enhance transparency and accountability, urging public involvement in reporting misconduct.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Chief Justice Martha Koome has pledged decisive action to tackle corruption within the Judiciary following the release of a new report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that flagged integrity concerns across the public sector.
In a statement issued Friday on behalf of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Koome said the commission had already initiated a structured review of the findings of the Kenya National Gender and Corruption Survey 2025, with a view to implementing concrete reforms.
“The report has profiled corruption in the wider public sector, including the Judiciary. Our position is simple, and firm: we do not tolerate corruption,” Koome said.
She revealed that the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, alongside a technical team, had met officials from the EACC to begin analysing the report’s recommendations and chart a path forward.
“We will act wherever integrity is compromised. This is not a new commitment; it is a sustained one,” she added.
Koome outlined a series of measures already undertaken by the Judiciary to curb graft, including inviting the EACC in 2021 to conduct an independent systems audit aimed at identifying institutional weaknesses.
She noted that the Judiciary has maintained continuous engagement with the anti-graft body since then.
Among key reforms highlighted were the establishment of Integrity Committees across court stations to reinforce accountability and the introduction of Judiciary Dialogue Days to enhance public engagement and feedback.
“To bolster transparency and minimise human interactions that may breed corruption, the Judiciary has enhanced automation in its court and administrative processes,” she said.
Koome also disclosed that the JSC has finalised regulations to govern the handling of petitions against judges, a move she said would enhance accountability within the bench.
“This is the direction of travel: more transparency, more accountability, and less room for misconduct,” she stated.
Reaffirming the commission’s constitutional mandate, Koome said the JSC would continue to work closely with oversight bodies to strengthen integrity mechanisms.
“We will continue to work openly and constructively with the EACC and other institutions to strengthen integrity within the Judiciary,” she said.
She further called on members of the public to play an active role in fighting corruption by reporting misconduct involving judicial officers.
“If you encounter corruption, report it, whether it involves a judge, magistrate, kadhi, registrar or member of staff. Accountability is a shared responsibility,” she urged.
At the same time, Koome reminded judicial officers that their authority is derived from the people and must be exercised with integrity and fidelity to the Constitution.
“Public trust is our greatest asset. We must protect it, uphold it and earn it every single day,” she said.
According to the EACC survey, corruption remains prevalent in public service delivery, with citizens reporting frequent demands for bribes to access essential services.
The report highlights the Judiciary among institutions where some users encounter delays, facilitation demands, and case interference linked to unethical conduct, even as it notes ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency and efficiency.
The survey further points to systemic challenges such as bureaucratic bottlenecks, low reporting rates due to fear of victimisation, and gendered dimensions of corruption, where women and men experience bribery and extortion differently depending on the service sought.
Corruption has long been a challenge in Kenya, impacting various sectors, including the Judiciary. The EACC has been pivotal in highlighting integrity issues and advocating for reforms. Chief Justice Martha Koome’s recent initiatives reflect a broader commitment to restoring public trust in judicial processes and ensuring accountability among judicial officers. The ongoing reforms aim to address systemic challenges and enhance service delivery, fostering a culture of integrity within the Judiciary.
