Written By Joyce Nzomo
Kenya’s judiciary is making significant strides in delivering justice, with courts clearing more cases than ever before. However, Chief Justice Martha Koome has raised concerns about a rising threat: online attacks targeting judges.
Speaking at the 2025 Judges’ Colloquium, Justice Koome revealed that all superior courts had improved their case clearance rates in the past financial year. The Supreme Court cleared 103 percent of its cases, the Court of Appeal’s rate rose to 76 percent from 61 percent, the High Court reached 118 percent, while the Employment and Labour Relations Court led nationally with an impressive 132 percent. The Environment and Land Court also recorded 116 percent.
“These results show that, despite challenges of workload and resources, our courts are working harder and faster to ensure Kenyans get justice on time,” Koome said.
While celebrating these achievements, the Chief Justice warned of a worrying trend: judges being harassed, bullied, and targeted online. She said these digital attacks are not merely personal but are deliberate attempts to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
“Judicial independence is non-negotiable. Digital intimidation risks forcing judges to decide cases based on fear or pressure instead of the Constitution and the law,” she cautioned.
Koome emphasized that protecting judges from online harassment is essential to safeguarding justice for all Kenyans, calling on all stakeholders to respect the judiciary and uphold the rule of law.
