Populist, generalised attacks slow down judicial reform

The Judiciary is imperfect, but imperfection does not justify indiscriminate populist vilification. [File, Standard]

“The life of the law has not been logic, it has been experience.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

The Kenyan judiciary occupies a paradoxical position. It is at once a pillar of democracy and a frequent target of public distrust. Like any institution, it bears undeniable societal flaws as corruption scandals, both perceived and real, inefficiencies, persistent backlogs of cases, and occasional decisions that raise questions about impartiality. These shortcomings are real, serious, and demand reform. A trend has emerged in recent years, the weaponisation of populism in critiquing the Judiciary. Instead of reasoned, evidence-driven discourse, political and social actors increasingly rely on emotionally charged rhetoric and social media disinformation to delegitimise courts. In doing so, they derail authentic calls for accountability, leaving the Judiciary both weakened and misunderstood.