Judge Isaac Lenaola says plans to remove Supreme Court judges must handle each case separately. He stressed that anyone trying to kick these judges out needs proof against each judge as an individual. Lenaola shared these thoughts when talking with law students at the University of Embu Moot Court before giving a public speech. He made clear that removal attempts need serious grounds rather than social media chatter.
He explained that judges take their oaths alone, not as a group. "Any claims of misconduct must be individual. When you take your oath of office, you don't take it together; you take it as yourself, and you sign your oath as yourself," Lenaola stated during the event. He added that he signed his code of conduct personally, not alongside the Chief Justice. These talks happened as part of celebrations marking twelve years since the Supreme Court began.
Lenaola pointed out that even if removal efforts succeed, judges can appeal to the Supreme Court itself. This creates a weird problem since they can't judge their cases. He plans to raise questions about whether the Chief Justice can legally pick judges for multiple cases when she faces removal. "The removal of a Supreme Court judge in a country is decimating a whole arm of government. You can't have a democracy when a whole arm of government is collapsed," he said.
The judge mentioned he would accept leaving if claims against him proved true and reasonable. "I have no problem going home if proven I am worthless, but it must be on serious grounds," he told students. His comments came after several groups filed petitions asking courts to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome and six other judges. Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi filed one such petition on January 13. The other judges include Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, justices Mohamed Ibrahim, Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung'u, and William Ouko.
He explained that judges take their oaths alone, not as a group. "Any claims of misconduct must be individual. When you take your oath of office, you don't take it together; you take it as yourself, and you sign your oath as yourself," Lenaola stated during the event. He added that he signed his code of conduct personally, not alongside the Chief Justice. These talks happened as part of celebrations marking twelve years since the Supreme Court began.
Lenaola pointed out that even if removal efforts succeed, judges can appeal to the Supreme Court itself. This creates a weird problem since they can't judge their cases. He plans to raise questions about whether the Chief Justice can legally pick judges for multiple cases when she faces removal. "The removal of a Supreme Court judge in a country is decimating a whole arm of government. You can't have a democracy when a whole arm of government is collapsed," he said.
The judge mentioned he would accept leaving if claims against him proved true and reasonable. "I have no problem going home if proven I am worthless, but it must be on serious grounds," he told students. His comments came after several groups filed petitions asking courts to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome and six other judges. Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi filed one such petition on January 13. The other judges include Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, justices Mohamed Ibrahim, Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung'u, and William Ouko.
