The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has launched a Strategic Plan as well as a revised Code of Conduct which will act as a guide in the administration of justice.
Speaking during the launch at Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi Friday, the Chief Justice (CJ) who is also the president of the Supreme Court of Kenya Martha Koome said that the two documents will have a bearing on how JSC will discharge its constitutional mandate of fostering the independence and accountability of the Judiciary.
The Chief Justice also added that the documents will also facilitate the efficient, effective and transparent execution of justice.
She noted that this is the very first strategic plan for the Commission since Kenya attained independence and the plan will run for the next five years.
“The Strategic Plan (2022 – 2027) will anchor and prioritise the Commission’s short, medium and long – term goals for the next five years. This is expected to guide the Commission in defining its purpose and policy direction and offer a framework for implementing and monitoring performance,” said the CJ.
Koome stated they will work with stakeholders to realise the five strategic results which are efficient, effective and accountable administration of justice as well as developing a motivated, professional, dynamic and responsive judges, judicial officers and judiciary staff. Additionally, it aspires to have financially independent and sustainable judiciary and JSC, while also building increased public confidence and trust in JSC and the Judiciary. It also aims at strengthening institutional capacity of the JSC.
She also declared the launch of a revised Code of Conduct and Ethics which enumerates the values and standards of conduct in a clear and comprehensive manner to guide the behaviour and conduct of judges, judicial officers and Judiciary staff.
“This document will address issues of integrity, conflict of interest, lack of impartiality and will be used to fight corrupt practices in Kenya,” said Koome.
The CJ called on all Kenyans to engage with the Judiciary and also monitor the actions of the officials serving in the Judiciary.
Echoing the words of the CJ, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary and Secretary of JSC Anne Amadi stated that the five strategic results from the plan are aligned with the priority of the country which will promote independence and accountability of justice in Kenya.
The Chair, JSC Committee on Administration of Justice Justice David Majanja noted that the two documents were formed under an elaborate participatory process where the indenture was formulated and discussed by the JSC, forwarded to the National Assembly for approval and finally promulgated by the JSC.
Chairperson of JSC’s Strategic Plan Steering Committee Macharia Njeru thanked the committee for creating the roadmap which will be able to evaluate their performance and fulfil their duties to the expectations of the public.
A representative of The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Charity Kagwi said that the Strategic Plan is historic as it has never been done before and they will continue to support the JSC in its execution.
By Catherine Mumbi and Manu Mumba
