Chief Justice Martha Koome has issued a caution regarding the alleged misuse of court processes, stating that such actions undermine public trust in the legal system.
In an apparent reference to the deadlock surrounding the appointment of the selection panel for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Koome warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent for how justice is perceived and administered in the country.
“While every Kenyan has the right to seek legal redress on matters of constitutional significance, this right must not be weaponized to stall governance or advance narrow political interests at the expense of the public good,” she stated.
The Chief Justice revealed that it took her intervention for the matter of the IEBC panel to progress in the courts, where it had previously stalled, jeopardizing the formation of a new electoral agency.
“I personally took responsibility to ensure that all cases affecting or delaying the constitution of the IEBC were prioritized for resolution. Justice must never be an obstacle to progress; it must be the very foundation upon which a just and democratic society is built,” she remarked during the swearing-in of the IEBC selection panel on Monday morning.
With the panel now in place, Koome is calling on stakeholders involved in the process of reconstituting the electoral body – including Parliament, political actors, civil society, and the public – to ensure that the recruitment of new IEBC Commissioners is conducted with “speed, integrity, and transparency.”
“The Kenyan people expect and deserve nothing less,” she asserted.
According to the Chief Justice, reconstituting the IEBC is not merely about filling positions; but essential for securing the legitimacy of elections, the stability of governance, and the future of democracy, as well as restoring Kenyans’ confidence in the electoral processes.
“The individuals you select must inspire confidence in the electoral system and uphold the values of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. Kenyans are watching, and the trust they place in our institutions will be determined by the integrity of the choices you make,” she advised the panel.
“The integrity, independence, and credibility of the IEBC start with you. Your duty is clear: to identify leaders of unshakable integrity, impartiality, and competence—men and women who will inspire trust in our electoral process,” she added.
Koome reiterated that the decisions made by the selection panel will not only shape the 2027 elections but also the future of Kenya’s democracy.
