Chief Justice Martha Koome in Kisumu. [Washington Onyango, Standard]
Chief Justice Martha Koome has urged President Uhuru to appoint six of the 40 judges, saying the Judiciary is in dire need due to an increase in the backlog of cases.
The CJ broke her silence a day after Uhuru gazetted the appointment of 34 judges, and presided over their swearing-in all within 24 hours.
In a statement Friday, Koome said she was not involved in the judges’ appointments.
“I wish to state that I had no part to play in this Constitutional process which was undertaken almost two years ago. Upon forwarding the names to the President, the Chief Justice and the JSC became functus officio (ceased to have any role),” she stated.
The newly sworn in CJ also lamented on respect as regards matters Judiciary saying no one should direct the JSC on how to execute its mandate.
“Respect for the rule of law and independence of the Judiciary is guaranteed under the Constitution. No person or authority is allowed to direct the JSC or the Judiciary in the execution of its mandate,” CJ Koome said.
She termed the happenings between the Judiciary and the Executive as a “delay and misunderstanding” referring to the impasse in the appointment of the judges.
On Thursday, May 3, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed 34 judges to the Court of Appeal, Land and Labour Relations Courts, all of whom were sworn in today at State House, Nairobi.
Six judges whose names were forwarded to the president by the JSC did not make the cut.
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