In a recent interview with BBC, Kenya’s Chief Justice Martha Koome revealed a remarkable aspect of her judicial career: she has never been approached with a bribe in her 22 years in the judiciary.
Koome’s statement, highlighting her steadfast ethical standards and personal integrity, comes at a time when the judiciary faces heightened scrutiny over allegations of corruption.
Maintaining integrity through strong ethics
The Chief Justice attributes her clean record to the ethical values she has upheld throughout her career.
She emphasized that her dedication to high ethical standards has been instrumental in safeguarding her from compromising situations.
Her commitment to integrity has contributed to her strong reputation in the judicial sector, setting a standard she hopes others will follow.
“I know who I am, what I’ve done and what I am going to do.
If you’ve looked, I have never all these 22 years being a judge and a Chief Justice nobody has ever approached me with a bribe.
I would have them arrested,” Koome declared.
A call for accountability from the Judiciary’s critics
Koome also addressed recent accusations of corruption within the judiciary, notably from Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi.
She urged critics to support their claims with evidence, signaling her openness to transparency and accountability in judicial proceedings.
“On this issue of jurispesa, I’ve always asked where is my incompetence.
Is it in jurisprudence? The cases we’ve decided are read all over; we’ve had to deal with complex matters.
He says their is bribery in the Judiciary or their is corruption in the Judiciary and I say yes maybe their is but their are institutions that deal with corruption in the Judiciary,” Koome said.
“Why aren’t you bringing evidence of this jurispesa; who has asked for money or received money or a favour.
Why don’t you put that evidence together and bring it to the Judicial Service Commission or even the police, it is a criminal offence to receive a bribe,” she added.
