Reforms in justice system dear to us, says Gicheru

By Standard reporter

Chief Justice Evans Gicheru says the Judiciary acknowledges the significance of reforms.

He said the justice system was committed to working with Government and other stakeholders to achieve desired results in judicial reforms.

"The pace of judicial reforms is subject to a particular jurisdiction and we acknowledge the importance of judicial reforms and are continually thinking of where improvements can be made," said Gicheru.

Addressing Court of Appeal and High Court judges during the annual Judges’ Colloquium in Mombasa, on monday, the CJ said recommendations by task force on judicial reforms would be implemented.

taskforce report

"We appointed a task orce on judicial reforms that recommended guaranteed independence, integrity and performance, financial independence, judges accountability and the ease of backlog, among others," he said.

He added: "I would therefore call upon the Government and all stakeholders to support the recommendations of the task force to actualise our dreams of a better and efficient judicial system."

Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission director PLO Lumumba urged judges to co-operate in the fight against corruption.

"The judicial system has to change. KACC cannot fight corruption without your co-operation. We have to play our part to exorcise the ghost of corruption," said Dr Lumumba.

PSC on Constitutional Review chairman Abdikadir Mohammed assured judges the constitution would insure complete financial independence of the Judiciary.

"With the new constitutional, the judicial system will have financial independence and therefore would have separate funds to allow you work effectively," said Mr Mohamed.