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The Judicial Service Commission led by Chief Justice Martha Koome addressing media at the CBK Pension Towers on Jan 15, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
The International Commission of Jurists and Kenya Human Rights Commission, along with other civil society organizations, have condemned the recent attacks on judicial officers.
They asserted that all complaints regarding the law interpreters should be communicated per the law.
This comes at a time when a majority of judicial officers have sustained public attacks and criticism on various social media platforms and in other public gatherings.
In a joint statement, the organisations called for respect for government institutions to restore public trust in the judiciary.
"A public trust deficit exacerbated by persistent allegations of bribery against judges and judicial staff has led to increased attacks on the judiciary. The net effect of these challenges is that citizens incrementally start distrusting the institution," ICJ Executive Director Eric Mukoya said.
In the backdrop of a feud between the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), the CSOs have called for a truce between the two parties to ensure smooth service delivery to Kenyans.
KHRC Adviser Robert Waweru has also raised concern over the strained relationship between the Executive and the Judiciary after the courts ruled against the government in several cases.
He says the ‘cold war’ could interfere with the dispute resolution process in the upcoming 2027 General Election.
“The Judiciary has experienced strained relations with other arms of government, particularly the Executive. Tensions that emerged during the 2017 election nullification have persisted to date. Since then, the Judiciary has made bold decisions,” Waweru said.
In January 2025, President William Ruto made remarks against the Judiciary and some of the individuals exercising their right to petition the court on matters of public interest.
The President claimed that unnamed individuals with vested interests in the health sector colluded with corrupt judicial officers to stall the new Social Health Insurance Fund program.
In 2023, the President issued an ultimatum to what he called “corrupt individuals,” giving them three choices: leave the country, face imprisonment, or embark on a metaphorical journey to heaven commonly called “Mambo ni Matatu”.
This warning was initially pronounced on Sunday, 27 August 2023, and despite drawing criticism, the President reiterated it on Wednesday, 30 August 2023.
On 16 December 2023, Ruto stated that the ceremonial sword given to him by his predecessor, President Uhuru Kenyatta, marked the transfer of power and authority to deal with hardliners. He stated, “You know I was given a sword. Do you think it’s for cutting vegetables? It’s for dealing with all these crooks here. I will uproot them completely, and Kenya will move forward”.
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