The High Court has consolidated seven petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Martha Koome and other judges of the Supreme Court, in a move aimed at streamlining the legal process and conserving judicial time.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, the bench directed that all the petitions be merged into a single case, citing the need for efficiency and consistency in handling the matters. The court also granted Chief Justice Koome and the other affected judges additional time to amend their petitions in response to the allegations raised.
“The orders have been pending for a long time… consolidating the cases into one main petition will save the court’s time,” stated one of the lawyers involved in the proceedings.
The court has now set strict timelines for all parties in the matter. Petitioners and respondents have been directed to submit hard copies of their pleadings by May 21, 2025, and file their responses by May 28, 2025. These procedural deadlines are expected to lay the groundwork for the substantive hearing of the consolidated case.
In a significant development, the court also extended existing conservatory orders that bar the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from acting on the removal petitions against the Chief Justice and her fellow judges. These interim orders will remain in effect until the matter is fully heard and determined, ensuring the status quo is maintained throughout the litigation process.
The case is set for mention on July 4, 2025, during which the court is expected to fix dates for the highlighting of submissions by the parties involved.
The outcome of this high-profile case could have far-reaching implications for the independence of the judiciary and the interpretation of constitutional provisions governing the removal of senior judicial officers in Kenya.
Written By Rodney Mbua
