Chief Justice Martha Koome has urged Kenyans to hold powers that be to account by upholding zero tolerance to corruption.
Koome asked Kenyans to report any incidents of corruption without fear, noting that dismantling the corrupt networks requires a holistic approach with cooperation of members of the public and the media playing a vital role.

Koome who is also the National Council on Administration of Justice (NCAJ) chairperson reiterated the council’s commitment to confront the scourge of corruption and economic crimes.

National challenge

While acknowledging that corruption persists in the country as a national challenge, the CJ expressed regrets that the status quo undermines accountability and public trust thereby negatively affecting service delivery.

She was speaking at a high level statutory meeting at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort and Spa convened to address challenges affecting the efficient administration of justice in the country.

“We all serve the people of Kenya and therefore we appreciate that the Justice Sector institutions represented here play a crucial role. We all have a primary role in creating awareness. We have to walk this journey with Kenyans assuring them that they have to say NO to corruption and uphold us to account to what we call zero tolerance to corruption,” Koome said, insisting the justice sector institutions under the council must prevent corruption at all cost.

This she said can be achieved by supporting the investigating arm as well as protecting the witnesses who hold crucial evidence to enable the institutions to decisively deal with corruption.

Prosecuted efficiently

According to Koome, corruption related cases must be prosecuted efficiently and expeditiously if the country is to emerge victorious in the war against the vice.

She disclosed that the council is currently in the final stages of developing a draft anticorruption strategic guiding framework ahead of its launch next month.

The framework, according to Koome, is intended to “guide each and every one of us on how to address the issues of corruption in all its facets.”

The CJ said the National Council on the administration of Justice will strengthen coordination “because none of us can succeed alone in the fight against corruption.”

“We will collaborate and build our capacity in the fight against corruption. We undertake to improve legal policy and administrative environment in the fight against corruption,” she said, pointing out that there are some administrative impediments the council has encountered including duplication of offences and roles that they have encountered.

She further stated the council’s resolve to enhance efficiency and accountability as well as deepen digital innovation in the fight against corruption. “We have realized that where we are using technology we are reducing human interaction and therefore reducing chances for corruption,” Koome said in a press briefing in Mombasa.