Apr 26, 04:00 AM

Kenya High Court Blocks JSC from Hearing Removal Petitions Against Chief Justice Koome and Four Supreme Court Justices

Kenya's High Court has blocked the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from hearing petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Martha Koome and Justices Smokin Wanjala, Lenaola, Ouko, and Njoki Ndung’u. The court referred these cases back to Chief Justice Koome for empanelment of judges to hear the petitions. This ruling has been described as a victory for the judiciary amid ongoing challenges to the justices' tenure. Chief Justice Koome has been given 14 days to appoint a bench of judges to hear the petition challenging her removal and that of her six colleagues. If she fails to do so, another petition may be filed with the JSC citing a conflict of interest. The court's intervention also coincides with a separate ruling protecting public land in Bungoma town, known as Kanduyi Airstrip, from alleged land grabbing attempts. These developments underscore ongoing tensions between the judiciary and political interests in Kenya.