The High Court has taken a significant step in the ongoing legal challenge against the removal of Chief Justice Martha Koome and other Supreme Court judges by consolidating seven separate petitions into a single case. The decision, delivered on Friday, aims to streamline proceedings and ensure judicial efficiency in handling the high-profile matter.
A three-judge bench overseeing the case noted that the petitions, which have been pending for months, raised similar questions of law and fact, justifying their consolidation. “The orders have been pending for a long time… consolidating the cases into one main petition will save the court’s time,” one of the lawyers involved in the case told reporters.
In a bid to provide a clear framework for the case moving forward, the court granted Chief Justice Koome and the other judges additional time to amend their petitions. All parties involved were directed to submit hard copies of their pleadings by May 21, 2025. Responses to the petitions must be filed by May 28, 2025.
Further, the bench ruled that all pending applications in connection with the petitions have been dispensed with, paving the way for a more focused examination of the substantive issues in the consolidated case.
Importantly, the High Court extended conservatory orders previously issued, barring the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from proceeding with the petitions seeking the removal of the judges. These interim protections will remain in place until the matter is fully heard and determined.
Legal experts note that the case marks a critical moment in Kenya’s constitutional and judicial landscape, as it touches on the independence of the judiciary and the due process required in the handling of judicial misconduct claims.
The matter is scheduled for mention on July 4, 2025, during which the court will set dates for the highlighting of submissions. As the legal drama unfolds, all eyes remain on the judiciary as it navigates the delicate balance between accountability and judicial independence.
