Chief Justice Martha Koome at an past engagement in Mombasa on July 27, 2026. [Robert Menza, Standard]
Chief Justice Martha Koome has warned judges, magistrates and judicial staff against engaging in corruption and bribery, saying integrity remains the foundation of a credible justice system and dispensing justice to all Kenyans.
Speaking during her official visit to Kakamega as part of the Judiciary Social Transformation through Access to Justice programme, Koome said the Judiciary would not tolerate corruption, insisting that judicial officers must uphold the highest ethical standards while dispensing justice.
The Chief Justice said the fight against corruption within the Judiciary is central to restoring public confidence in the justice system, adding that judicial officers cannot claim to administer justice while at the same time soliciting bribes from litigants.
"I want to announce and repeat that the Judiciary is a no-corruption zone and we are serious about zero tolerance to corruption. We have policies that prohibit corruption and bribery, and we shall continue enforcing them," said Koome.
She added that integrity was non-negotiable for all officers serving within the Judiciary.
"We cannot have judges, judicial officers and staff dispensing justice on one hand while seeking bribes on the other. That is illegal and unacceptable. We are urging members of the public to be active contributors by making use of Court Users Committees so that together we can ensure Kenyans access justice without intimidation or corruption," she said.
Koome said the Judiciary was strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), to eliminate corruption and improve service delivery in courts across the country.