NAIROBI, Kenya- When it comes to holding judges accountable, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) finds itself in the spotlight.
This time, it’s the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ)—better known as the Office of the Ombudsman—that’s raising the red flag, urging the JSC to boost transparency in handling complaints and decisions involving the judiciary.
In a bold advisory, CAJ Chair Charles Dulo stressed the JSC’s responsibility to investigate complaints against judges and recommend disciplinary actions, an oversight role he described as critical for maintaining public trust.
But here’s the kicker: without clear public disclosure of complaint outcomes, the judiciary risks being perceived as unaccountable—a narrative no one wants.
Citing Section 5 of the Access to Information Act, 2016, Dulo called for the JSC to publish complaints, petitions, responses, and resolutions on its website and other platforms.
And the timeline? A crisp 21 days to comply and submit a detailed report. Dulo noted that while press releases offer some updates, they fall short of the granular transparency the public deserves.
Here’s where things get interesting: since its establishment in 2011, the JSC has handled a staggering 935 complaints against judges.
Of these, 862 cases have been resolved, leaving a backlog of 73 cases. Yet, 82.5pc of the resolved cases—772 complaints—were dismissed due to “decisional independence,” leaving room for speculation about how these decisions were reached.
By stepping up transparency efforts, the JSC has a chance to show its commitment to accountability. And for the rest of us? It’s a reminder that staying informed and demanding clarity isn’t just our right—it’s our responsibility.
