The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), also known as the Office of the Ombudsman, has summoned Chief Justice Martha Koome and ten members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) over failure to address and publish complaints against judges and judicial officers.
The JSC members are required to appear before the Ombudsman between Monday, March 24, and Tuesday, March 25. The summons come amid a dispute between the JSC and Supreme Court judges, who have moved to court seeking to block proceedings aimed at their removal.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ombudsman said the decision to summon the officials was necessary to ensure accountability in the Judiciary. “The Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) has today issued summonses to members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to compel their appearance before the Commission on March 24 and 25 at 10 a.m.,” the statement read.
Among those summoned are Chief Justice Martha Koome, Isaac Rutto, Dorcas Odiwuor, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, Justice Fatuma Sichale, Justice Antony Mrima, Everlyne Olwande, Omwanza Ombati, Caroline Nzilani Ajuoga, and Jacqueline Ingutiah.
The Ombudsman accused the JSC of failing to comply with directives issued on December 23, 2024, and January 31, 2025. It demanded that the JSC release a report detailing the status of all unresolved complaints lodged against judicial officers. Additionally, the JSC was expected to publish resolved complaints, outlining their nature, analysis, and reasons for the decisions made.
“This decision was not taken lightly. The Commission reaffirms its commitment to holding public officers accountable and will not hesitate to call out any impunity,” the statement added.
The summons carry legal consequences, with those who fail to appear facing a fine of up to Sh500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
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