• The CJ requested EACC to undertake the audit in 2021 when she assumed office in order to identify avenues that may be exploited to support unethical conduct or graft.
• Speaking after receiving the reports, Koome said winning the fight against corruption will require collaboration from stakeholders.
Image: MARTHA KOOME/TWITTER
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has sent two reports on judicial audit to Chief Justice Martha Koome.
The reports, submitted on Wednesday, contain findings on examination into systems, policies, procedures and practices of registry operations and management of government funded construction projects in the Judiciary.
Koome requested EACC to undertake the audit in 2021 when she assumed office in order to identify avenues that may be exploited to support unethical conduct or corruption.
Speaking after receiving the report, Koome said winning the fight against corruption will require collaboration from stakeholders.
This knowledge, she said, had informed the request for the audit.
"As promised in the Judiciary's 'Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ)' vision, enhancing public trust and confidence in the Judiciary is a key outcome that we will continue to pursue," she added.
CJ Koome said implementing the findings from the Report on Registry Operations will be pivotal in the quest to eliminate corruption, enhance accountability and build trust in service delivery by the Judiciary.
"The findings and recommendations from the two reports will form part of our 'Judicial Hygiene' Strategy as they are a Blueprint for creating a Judiciary that reflects the aspirations of Kenyans for a corruption free Judiciary," she added.
She said the recommendations will be integrated with the Judiciary’s digitisation strategy.
This is expected to present a unique opportunity to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
Koome further said implementing the recommendations from the Report on the Management of Construction Projects will be an essential part of the drive towards prudence in development financial management.
The CJ directed all Courts, Directorates and Units to study the two reports and embark on aligning their systems, policies, processes and procedures with the findings and recommendations.
Speaking at the event, EACC chairperson Bishop David Oginde thanked the Judiciary for having the courage to conduct the self-assessment in its quest to deliver better justice.
He likened the audit to undertaking medical check-ups, saying most people hesitate taking such examinations due to the fear of finding out what they ail from.
"I believe that the Judiciary is committed to strengthening its systems in order to effectively and efficiently deliver justice in accordance with the Constitution," he added.
The former chairperson, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala under whose tenure the audit was initiated, commended the Judiciary for the bold step taken.
He urged other public institutions, especially those under the National Council on the Administration of Justice, to invite the EACC to undertake similar audits.
"Nobody in Kenya wants to take responsibility. We term others as corrupt but not us," he said, as a challenge to the institutions.