The Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Judicial Service (JSC) to publicize the complaints lodged against judges.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 24, the commission further noted that JSC should publish the responses and determination of the matters within the given period.
"The Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) has given the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) twenty-one days to publish and publicise on its website and other platforms the complaints and petitions lodged against the judges, the responses received, the analysis of issues and their determination, and submit a compliance report in accordance with Section 5 of the Access to Information Act, 2016," the commission's chairperson Charles Dulo stated.
According to Dulo, the lack of adequate public disclosure regarding the outcomes of the complaints undermines confidence in judicial integrity.
"The Commission recognises that one of JSC's primary functions is to receive and investigate complaints against judges and to recommend disciplinary actions when necessary. This oversight is crucial in maintaining high standards of judicial conduct and ensuring public trust in the judiciary," Dulo remarked.
Read More
He added, "However, without adequate public disclosure regarding the outcomes of these complaints, perceptions of corruption and lack of accountability may arise, undermining confidence in judicial integrity."
Dulo maintained that the commission recommended that JSC regularly publish detailed information, including the number of complaints against judges, the nature of the complaints, the timelines for processing and determinations made to date.
On December 9, Chief Justice Martha Koome disclosed that according to the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Report that was presented to Parliament on November 15, 141 petitions touching on the conduct of judges were received, out of which 70 were concluded during the 2023/24 financial year.
In a statement, Koome further noted that JSC registered 116 disciplinary cases against staff.
"The Commission also registered 116 disciplinary cases against staff, the most common of which was absence from duty at 58 complaints. 11 complaints touched on soliciting and receiving a bribe. Out of these cases, 51 cases have been concluded," Koome explained.
