Good News To CJ Martha Koome After Court Issues Landmark Ruling On JSC Selection Panel

Chief Justice Martha Koome scored a major legal win after a three-judge bench ruled that there were no proper reasons to question how she selected the team handling a petition linked to the possible removal of three judges.

The case had challenged the empanelment of the bench that is hearing a petition against the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) proceedings involving Justices Lawrence, Charles Kariuki, and Bahati Mwamuye.

The ruling brings clarity to a matter that had raised debate within the legal community.

Some petitioners had argued that the Chief Justice did not follow the correct process when forming the bench.

They wanted the court to stop the proceedings and review the steps she took. However, the three-judge bench disagreed.

In their decision, the judges said there were no convincing reasons to interfere with the Chief Justice’s administrative powers.

They explained that the law gives the Chief Justice the authority to select judges to hear cases, especially those that require a specialized or expanded bench.

According to them, nothing in this situation showed that she acted unfairly or abused her powers.

The bench also noted that the petition challenging the JSC proceedings can now continue without delay.

This means the case involving Justices Lawrence, Kariuki, and Mwamuye will proceed as earlier scheduled.

The ruling lifts any uncertainty that had hung over the process and allows the matter to move forward smoothly.

Legal analysts say the decision strengthens the independence of the office of the Chief Justice.

It also confirms that administrative decisions made by the head of the Judiciary cannot be easily overturned unless there is clear evidence of wrongdoing.

For CJ Koome, the judgment is seen as an important affirmation of her role.