Philomena Mwilu urges judges, magistrates to uphold integrity to restore confidence in judiciary
By Faith Lagat, September 11, 2025Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has called on the Judiciary to uphold integrity, teamwork, and wellness in order to rebuild public confidence in Kenya’s justice system.
She made the remarks on Thursday, September 11, 2025, during the official opening of the Judiciary Sports Day in Nairobi, an event themed “Fitness for Justice: Balancing Wellness, Integrity and Service.”
“Together we can inspire confidence in the justice system and leave a legacy of integrity, service, and teamwork,” said DCJ Mwilu.
“We will achieve excellence in our courts and tribunals only when judges, magistrates and staff pull together with one spirit and one purpose. While our roles may differ, our purpose is shared: social transformation through access to justice,” the DCJ explained.
Mwilu said such activities are vital in fostering camaraderie and collaboration within the judicial service, values she emphasised are also necessary for justice delivery.
“Teamwork begins by building trust, and the best way to build trust is by spending time together. Every race won, every match played, is a product of training, resilience, and determination—let us reflect this in our daily duties,” she said.
Research has also shown that team-building initiatives can enhance professional collaboration, with a 2019 Journal of Applied Psychology study indicating improvements of up to 30 per cent.
Calls for accountability
Mwilu’s remarks come at a time when the judiciary is facing increasing calls for accountability and reform.
President William Ruto, while addressing the Second Africa-CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa on September 7, urged regional institutions to unite in pursuit of reparatory justice and equitable systems. His sentiments echoed the judiciary’s ongoing efforts to align integrity and service with collective responsibility.
Similarly, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo told lawyers at the LSK Annual Conference in Diani last month that justice cannot thrive in silence, urging the legal fraternity to protect constitutionalism as the country works to exit the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list.
Inclusivity
Chief Justice Martha Koome has also underscored the importance of partnerships in ensuring access to justice. Speaking on August 8 during an engagement with civil society leaders, Koome reiterated that dismantling barriers for marginalised groups remains a priority under the Judiciary’s Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint.
The Judiciary Sports Day, Mwilu said, was a practical step towards addressing issues such as burnout, with global studies showing that nearly half of judicial officers report stress-related challenges. She urged colleagues to embrace integrity, service, and teamwork as guiding principles.
“As we strengthen each other, we strengthen the institution,” she said, adding that the Judiciary must remain a beacon of hope to Kenyans.