Three-Judge bench to decide fate of Chief Justice Koome, supreme Court Judges

The bench was formed in response to a High Court ruling that the case filed by Supreme Court judges — challenging the hearing of petitions seeking their removal — raises significant legal issues that should be considered by multiple judges.

Chief Justice Koome, who also serves as the Supreme Court's president, along with Justices Njoki Ndung'u, Isaac Lenaola, William Ouko, and Smokin Wanjala, had petitioned the High Court to challenge the Judicial Service Commission's (JSC) handling of the removal cases.

Similarly, the High Court temporarily halted the JSC's proceedings in the removal cases pending the hearing and determination of the suits.

Lawyers for the defendants, including Nelson Havi, contended that Chief Justice Koome, as a petitioner in the case, could not lawfully appoint a bench to hear a matter in which she has a personal interest.

Havi contended that this would be a conflict of interest and undermine the process's integrity.