The judge has cited an instance where a court official received about Sh70,000 and claimed that it was meant for her to influence a favourable ruling/CFM NEWS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 2- Justice Roselyn Nambuye says if appointed Chief Justice, she will vigorously advocate against corruption, which is a major problem at the Judiciary.
Justice Nambuye says the menace is real but it can only be addressed if the public is also encouraged to shun the vice.
The judge has cited an instance where a court official received about Sh70,000 and claimed that it was meant for her to influence a favourable ruling.
“I was based in Kitale and I had a cousin who was fond of coming to my court chambers to say hi but I didn’t know he was doing deals outside till I had a case and the party lost. He went to his advocate and said ‘huyu mwanamke sasa ametutupa kesi na amekula pesa’ (this woman has ditched us despite taking our money), “she recalled.
She however discovered that the money had indeed been received by her clerk, “without me knowing.”
In most cases after delivering a ruling, she said members of the public make offers, “and it is up to judicial officers to say no. If I accept, that is corruption.”
Nambuye who has served at the Judiciary for 38 years says if appointed CJ, she will mainly focus on streamlining the linkage between grassroots courts and the headquarters, in a bid to enhance service delivery across all parts of the country.
She will also focus on improving the welfare of judicial officials to ensure they deliver quality service to the people.
Nambuye will also, if appointed Chief Justice, “accept criticism. I want to be remembered as a CJ who delivered without shouting. You don’t need to have the JSC hovering around you all the time.”
Her great achievement so far, she said its “being a hardworking officer, I had a corrupt free judicial career and I never shy away from work.”
Though she doesn’t know how judicial cartels operate, Nambuye said she has only heard of them.
Nambuye said she will possibly be a soft judge while executing her judicial duties.
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