Chief Justice Martha Koome is among 10 Judicial Service Commission (JSC) members summoned by the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) for failing to resolve and publish complaints of maladministration against judges, judicial officers, and staff of the Judiciary as ordered by the Ombudsman.

“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 10am,” reads part of their statement issued on Friday.

The other nine JSC members summoned are Isaac Rutto, Dorcas Odiwuor, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, and Justice Fatuma Sichale, Justice Antony Mrima, Everlyne Olwande, Omwanza Ombati, Caroline Nzilani Ajuoga, and Jacqueline Ingutiah. The ten are to appear between Monday, March 24, and Tuesday, March 25.

“This decision was not taken lightly. The Commission reaffirms its unflinching resolve to deal firmly and fairly with public and state officers who disobey its directives in the performance of their constitutional mandate. We will not hesitate to call out any impunity or "utado" attitude on the part of such officers,” the Ombudsman said.

The summons comes after a spat between JSC and the judges of the Supreme Court, who are fighting a spirited push against their removal from office.

According to the Ombudsman, the JSC failed to comply with the demands issued on December 23, 2024, and January 31, 2025.

Consequently, the Ombudsman has mandated the JSC to publish a status report on all unresolved matters lodged against judicial officers pending before the Judiciary Ombudsman and the Judicial Service Commission. 

They also want the Commission to publish and publicize resolved complaints against all Judicial officers, indicating their nature and analyses together with the reasons for the decision; and

“Failure to submit to the Commission a complete compliance report on complaints against all judicial officers,” the Ombudsman said in their indictment of the JSC.

The summons carries a fine of Kes 500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, should any of the ten fail to obey the summons.

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