Chief Justice: Martha Koome calls for end to end cyberbullying of judges

Judges have identified cyberbullying of judicial officers as a threat to the independence of the Judiciary in Kenya, warning that the rising tide of online harassment risks undermining both their authority and the public's trust in the justice system. Chief Justice Martha Koome, speaking during the annual judges' conference in Mombasa, said most cyberattacks directed at judicial officers were not only false but also libellous, and should never be dismissed as harmless criticism. She argued that such conduct corrodes public confidence in the Judiciary, a vital institution of constitutional democracy. "Some critics have turned to social media not to engage constructively, but to malign and denigrate judges and judicial officers," said Koome. She urged the judges to learn how to withstand lies levelled against them from social media and work professionally without being swayed by criticism. "These platforms have become conduits for unfounded accusations, half-truths and outright defamatory allegations intended to sow doubt and delegitimise judicial decisions." She emphasised that the threats were not simply personal attacks on individual judges, but part of a wider strategy aimed at weakening the authority of the entire Judiciary. "If left unchecked, this culture of digital intimidation risks creating a chilling effect where judges feel pressured to decide cases in line with political expedience, or the wishes of certain private and commercial interests, rather than fidelity to the Constitution and the law," she warned. Justice Koome urged judicial officers to remain steadfast in the face of falsehoods and to carry out their duties with professionalism. "Protecting that space of fearless adjudication is essential if the judiciary is to continue playing its constitutional role as the last line of defence of the rule of law," she said. The Chief Justice acknowledged that the judiciary has been grappling with a shortage of personnel, which has contributed to a backlog of cases across the country. To address this, she said the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) would soon recruit additional judges to fill vacant positions. The commission would also explore ways of employing more researchers to assist judicial officers in handling their workloads more efficiently. Justice Koome also disclosed that the judiciary had developed new structures to strengthen the resilience of judges and provide support systems in the face of growing pressures. She explained that a grouping of ten judges had been formed to focus on welfare and social matters, thereby creating a forum for judges to counterbalance the mental and emotional strain of online harassment. "I am deeply conscious that the demands of our daily judicial work, compounded by new and growing cyberbullying and harassment, have placed an enormous strain on our mental well-being," said Justice Koome. "The pressures of heavy caseloads, the emotional weight of adjudicating sensitive disputes, and sometimes hostile public environments can take a toll on even the most resilient among us." To help address these challenges, the Chief Justice said she had initiated a system of 20 "judicial families," each comprising ten judges. The groups are designed to provide mutual support and a sense of community within the wider judiciary. "The aim is to strengthen collegiality, encourage meaningful peer-to-peer support and entrench a culture of mutual care," she explained. Koome also praised colleagues who had worked on legislation designed to improve the welfare of judicial officers. She specifically thanked Supreme Court Judge William Ouko and his team for drafting the Judges' Retirement and Benefits Bill. Once enacted, she said, it would ensure Kenyan judges enjoy retirement packages comparable to those of their counterparts in neighbouring countries such as Uganda and Tanzania.

Chief Justice: Martha Koome calls for end to end cyberbullying of judges

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Chief Justice: Martha Koome calls for end to end cyberbullying of judges

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism. Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Trending Now

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.