Kenya’s Judiciary is slowly losing its independence from the Executive - ICJ

The Kenyan Chapter of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ-K) is rooting for more judicial independence and accountability in the country.

The commission says it is deeply concerned that the Judiciary is slowly losing its independence from the Executive and actions by individual justice sector actors.

ICJ Kenya Executive Director Elsie Saina and Chairman Protas Saende said there was a need to review the functions and mechanisms provided by the Judicial Service Commission to advance judicial accountability.

“The jurists are concerned that the independent commissions are not getting adequate funding and are therefore unable to dispense their constitutional mandates,” Saina said.

They spoke on Saturday during the 2023 ICJ Kenya Annual Jurists Conference in Malindi.

On his part, the chairperson of ICJ Kenya Protas Saende said: “We have talked about the Judicial Service Commission. Some have complained about how the commission has handled complaints against judges and magistrates.”

“This is one area that we may need to relook at the processes and procedures followed, and whether they need to be improved and strengthened in order the get proper remedies.”