This archive report was first published on 24 December 2021.
December 24, 2021 - In a recent statement, Chief Justice Martha Koome has reiterated her commitment to working in harmony with other arms of government, emphasizing the importance of interdependence and shared responsibility in ensuring access to justice for all.
According to Koome, the Judiciary cannot work in isolation and requires the support of both the Executive and Parliament to function effectively. She noted that her change of tact, which involves engaging in constructive dialogue with other branches of government, is yielding positive results.
“I have noted the concern by several Kenyans that the constructive dialogue approach that I have championed in a bid to reverse the dire operational state of the Judiciary will compromise the independence of the Judiciary,” Koome said, addressing concerns that her approach may undermine the Judiciary's independence.
However, Koome emphasized that her engagements with President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate are focused on addressing institutional concerns of the Judiciary, rather than compromising its decisional autonomy.
She disclosed that her efforts have already borne fruit, with several key concerns for the Judiciary being addressed, including the operationalization of the Judiciary Fund, the establishment of a Judiciary Police Unit, and the allocation of land for the Kenya Judiciary Academy.
