Judiciary warns over staff defamation

The Judiciary is urging the public to stop defaming its officers.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Judiciary said with concern the surge in public commentary regarding the conduct of judges, judicial officers and staff.'

“Over the past few days, the Judiciary has taken note of increased public comments relating to ethical conduct in the administration of justice and calls for accountability on the part of judges, judicial officers, and staff in the discharge of their duties,” read the statement.

While acknowledging the necessity for public discourse on the ethical conduct of its officers, the judiciary underscored the importance of maintaining proper dialogue and using proper channels to address any issues.

The institution urged Kenyans to direct complaints regarding such matters to relevant investigative offices charged with investigating any impropriety on the part of judges, judicial officers, and staff.

“The Office of the Judiciary Ombudsman and the judicial Service Commission remain open to receive and process such complaints with other investigative government agencies in the pursuit of truth,” the statement continued.

The judiciary hopes to protect the integrity of its members while assuring Kenyans of its dedication to uphold the rule of law.

“We urge the public to desist from issuing statements to malign judicial officers and staff without providing evidence, which leads to character assassination,” added the Directorate of Public Affairs and Communication in the statement.

The statement further noted that the Judiciary “remains committed to honesty, integrity, accountability, and transparency, upholding the rule of law and the Constitution.”

The move is seen as an effort to strike a balance between preserving judicial independence and reputation and ensuring justice prevails without undue bias or coercion.