NAIROBI, Kenya — Chief Justice Martha Koome is among several senior judges set to be affected by a nationwide court boycott announced by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), as advocates intensify pressure for reforms within the Judiciary.
The boycott is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 22, with lawyers expected to refrain from participating in most court hearings as they demand greater judicial accountability and improvements in court administration.
According to a statement issued by LSK President Charles Kanjama, the boycott will affect matters involving several judges whose cases have been linked to ongoing court proceedings that halted disciplinary processes before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and criminal investigations.
Judges Listed
Among the judges named by the LSK are:
- Chief Justice Martha Koome
- Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu
- Supreme Court Judges Isaac Lenaola, Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, and Mohammed Ibrahim
- Court of Appeal Judge Sankale Ole Kantai
- High Court Judges Lucy Waithaka, Stella Atambo, Dora Chepkwony, and Josephine Mong’are
LSK said the protest is intended to promote accountability within the Judiciary and restore public confidence in the justice system.
The lawyers argue that institutional reforms are necessary to safeguard judicial independence and integrity.
Why Lawyers Are Boycotting
However, the society clarified that lawyers may attend court for mentions and applications involving interim orders solely to obtain new hearing dates or seek extensions of existing interim orders where necessary.
The advocates cited several concerns, including:
- Delays in hearing and determining cases.
- Slow delivery of court rulings.
- Persistent inefficiencies in court registries.
- Concerns over mechanisms for handling complaints against judges and judicial officers.
- Issues affecting the professional dignity and working environment of advocates.
“Advocates continue to experience delays in the hearing and determination of cases, as well as delays in the delivery of rulings,” Kanjama said.
He added that members had also raised concerns about the effectiveness of systems established to address complaints against judicial officers.
Judiciary Responds
Despite the planned industrial action, the Judiciary has assured the public that all courts will remain operational throughout the boycott.
It has urged litigants, advocates, and other court users to attend court as scheduled.
The Judiciary also called on the Law Society of Kenya to continue engaging through dialogue, noting that the two institutions have held at least five consultative meetings over the past two years, with another meeting scheduled for July 31.
