CJ Koome, JSC Warns Ombudsman Of Overstepping, Ignores Summons
On Friday, February 28, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) fired back at the Commission for Administration of Justice (CAJ), also known as the Office of the Ombudsman.
This follows a summons by the latter for failing to publicize complaints against the judiciary.
The JSC, lead by Chief Justice Martha Koome, threatened legal action, accusing the Ombudsman of exceeding their authority, citing a lack of power to issue summons to an independent body like the JSC.
“The JSC will take all necessary steps to defend its constitutional authority and will not tolerate any attempts to undermine its independence,” the JSC asserted in a statement.
The JSC response to unwarranted summonses by the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) pic.twitter.com/3yhX5FNafH
— Judicial Service Commission Kenya (JSC) (@jsckenya) February 28, 2025
In a statement signed by JSC Secretary Winfridah Mokaya, the JSC stated that the material requested by CAJ regarding complaints against the Judiciary was previously public and that the subsequent summons by CAJ constituted “threats and intimidation.”
“The JSC has repeatedly informed the CAJ that the information it seeks is already publicly available through the JSC Annual Reports and the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Reports (SoJAR), which are published annually and accessible to all Kenyans,” the JSC expressed.
“These reports comprehensively detail the number, nature, and status of complaints and petitions handled by the JSC,” the Commission added.
The Ombudsman issued a statement in early February giving CJ Koome and the JSC a 21-day deadline to address the complaints against the Judiciary and ordering Koome to disclose the allegations.
This action turned out to be a brazen tug-of-war between institutions within the judiciary.
Following the expiration of the ultimatum, the CAJ summoned members of the JSC, including CS Koome, Isaac Rutto, Dorcas Odiwuor, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, and Justice Fatuma Sichale.
The Commission Chairperson Mr. Charles Dulo flanked by the Vice Chairperson and Commissioner for ATI, Ms. Dorothy Jemator, Commissioner CILs, @RealJaguarKenya and CEO, @mcywambua —took the unprecedented step of issuing summonses to all members of @jsckenya pic.twitter.com/wMEI29byLn
— Ombudsman Kenya (@KenyasOmbudsman) February 28, 2025
Others called included Justice Antony Mrima, Everlyne Olwande, Omwanza Ombati, Caroline Nzilani Ajuoga, and Jacqueline Ingutiah. The 10 were scheduled to appear between Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, March 25.
Notably, the JSC, while condemning the behaviour of the CAJ, chastised CAJ Chair Charles Dulo for playing to the public gallery despite appearing meek in the presence of CJ Koome.
“It is also noteworthy that during a National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) meeting held on February 19, 2025, chaired by the Hon. Chief Justice, the CAJ Chairperson, Mr. Charles Dulo, did not raise any concerns regarding the Judiciary or the JSC,” JSC remarked.
“On the contrary, he apologized to the Chief Justice for his approach to addressing judicial accountability issues and committed to pursuing further collaborative engagement.”
ALSO READ:
- Eliud Owalo Blasts Ruto Gov’t, Demands EACC & DCI Investigations Into Fake Sugar Scandal
- President’s Office Releases 2026 National Holidays Calendar, Names Host Counties
- Kenya Goes After British Oil Giant Over Hundreds Of Deaths In The North
- KDF Soldier Arrested Over Wife’s Murder in Nakuru
- Parliament Passes VAT Bill For Petroleum, Slashes It To 8%
The JSC further stated that the CAJ’s omission to express its alleged concerns at the NCAJ forum, which was intended to provide a venue for justice sector stakeholders to engage in dialogue and address outstanding issues, aroused severe doubts about its motivations.
Failure to obey the Ombudsman’s summons resulted in a fine of Ksh500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
In recent months, the Judiciary has come under growing fire, with some legal practitioners calling for the resignation of Chief Justice Koome and her fellow Supreme Court judges, accusing them of systemic corruption in the judicial system.
This has resulted in several court disputes between the Supreme Court and other justice institutions as judges strive to preserve their positions.
CJ Koome, JSC Warns Ombudsman Of Overstepping, Ignores Summons
