The Chief Justice David Maraga has termed corruption menace in the country as the biggest threat to Kenya’s economic growth.
Speaking during the swearing in of the new president of the Court of Appeal, Justice William Ouko, the CJ vowed to combat the corruption menace.
He pointed out that the survival of the country will be seriously undermined if the current corruption trend continues.
“Corruption constitutes the single biggest threat to the rule of law and the social and economic progress of the people of Kenya,” said Maraga.
“Some estimates indicate that the Government of Kenya loses up to 30 % of its national budget to corruption every year. No wonder it has become a matter of national security concern while public anger has reached new levels,” he continued.
However, he affirmed that the judiciary is credible to handle cases of the cartels involved in the corruption scandals affecting the country.
“The Judiciary is accused of not convicting any ‘big fish,’ the common view being that the big fish will go to any length, use the ill-gotten wealth to engage the best lawyers, interfere with witnesses and compromise magistrates and Judges to avoid a conviction,” said CJ Maraga.
He otherwise cautioned his judiciary team against involvement in corruption.
“Members of the bench should promote and encourage their own personal integrity, honesty and transparency. Anyone who lacks the personal quality of integrity, transparency and honesty has no place on the Bench. Those who deviate from the direction of integrity must know that, like a thief, their 40 days will soon end,” he said.