‘I have no problem going home,’ Justice Lenaola says on petition to remove Supreme Court judges

Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola has called on Kenyans to support and respect the country’s highest court, emphasizing its crucial role in upholding democracy.

Speaking to law students at Embu University, Justice Lenaola criticized a petition seeking the removal of all seven Supreme Court judges, calling it "absurd" as it targets an entire arm of government.

Lenaola questioned the practicality of such a move, noting that it would force the very judges being challenged to preside over their own removal.

"Suppose the petition goes through, and all the judges are removed at the same time. The judge has a right to appeal their removal, so look at the absurdity of Supreme Court judges appealing to themselves, saying our removal was unconstitutional. That is the absurdity we are saying must be resolved," he stated.

“I have no problem going home if proven I am worthless, but it must be on very serious grounds… It cannot be games on social media. Removing the Supreme Court of government is decimating the whole arm of government. You can’t have a democracy when the whole arm of government is collapsed, that is where we are."

According to Lenaola, the petition for removal should focus on individual judges rather than the entire bench.

"Misconduct must be individual. When you take your oath of office, you don’t take it together; you take it as yourself and sign it yourself. I signed the oath of conduct alone, not with the Chief Justice. If you want to remove the judges, start by proving your claim about each judge," he said.

Justice Lenaola stressed that public confidence in the Supreme Court is essential for the stability of the nation’s democratic processes.

He urged citizens to trust the Judiciary’s decisions, emphasizing that respect for the institution would help strengthen the rule of law and ensure justice for all.

The petition, filed by former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi, seeks the removal of Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, and Justices Smokin Wanjala, Mohammed Ibrahim, Njoki Ndung’u, Isaac Lenaola, and William Ouko.

The petition, which has sparked debate within legal circles, is expected to undergo further scrutiny in the relevant judicial and constitutional bodies.