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Chief Justice Martha Koome (left) has dismissed calls for her resignation over claims of allowing gross misconduct among Supreme Court judges.

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi on Monday, filed a petition in court seeking to remove Koome from office on allegations that she lacked the impetus to preside over the Judiciary.

In an affidavit, Havi also wanted six other Supreme Court judges including Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu to face a tribunal that will probe their conduct for, among others, gross misconduct and misbehaviour.

Other Kenya top lawyers who have voiced their concern over the allegations levelled against the judges include Gibson Kamau Kuria, Paul Muite, and Ahmednasir Abdullahi who linked Koome’s team to corruption and integrity issues.

While defending her tenure, Koome maintained a hard stance, saying that she will not yield to intimidation from those telling her to vacate office.

Online attacks
She said that those calling for her oust have not given her reasons as to why she should be removed from office before her tenure ends

The CJ said that she had not received Havi’s petition despite a copy of the document bearing a rubber stamp showing that JSC had received it on January 13, 2025 (Monday).

“I’m actually not aware of the petition that has been brought to the JSC for my removal and the removal of the entire commission. I don’t know when it was brought,” Koome said.

The CJ was speaking during the swearing in of new Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO Abdi Mohamud. She added that she has been a victim of online attacks aimed at tainting her image.

“I’m a victim of cyberbullying which I also refer to as technologically facilitated gender-based violence. It is more of a business model but I don’t know to achieve what from me,” Koome said.

Havi’s petition has also raised allegations of overstepping legislative boundaries, issuing questionable rulings, and disregarding legal precedence.

The petition also criticised the JSC (Judicial Service Commission) for its alleged lack of transparency and failure to address complaints, despite directives from the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) to publicise such matters.