In today’s court news, The High Court in Nairobi has granted Chief Justice Martha Koome and fellow Supreme Court judges one week to amend their petitions seeking to block their removal from office.
The directive follows a request by the legal team representing the CJ and the Supreme Court judges, who asked the court for additional time to include details that had been omitted from the original petitions.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, May 16, 2025, a three-judge bench composed of Justices Charles Kariuki (presiding), Lawrence Mugambi, and Bahati Mwamuye allowed the petitioners to amend and file the updated petitions.
“The court grants leave to file and serve amended petitions, which must be done by close of business on May 21, 2025,” the bench ordered.
The court further directed all parties involved to submit five hard copies of the amended documents. Additionally, responses must be filed and served by May 28, 2025. If rejoinders are necessary, they must be submitted by June 3, 2025.
The proceedings stem from consolidated petitions challenging the continued tenure of CJ Koome and the other Supreme Court judges. On April 30, 2025, CJ Koome appointed a three-judge bench led by Justice Kariuki to hear the case, which had been filed before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Petitioners include Chief Justice Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, and Justices Mohamed Ibrahim, Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, Isaac Lenaola, and William Ouko, all seeking to block their potential removal from office.
The appointment of the bench was confirmed on May 6, 2025, by High Court Deputy Registrar Emmie Chelule, who stated, “I confirm that the bench was empaneled on April 30, 2025, and directions will be shared with all parties via email.”
The empanelment followed a directive by Justice Mugambi, who had earlier ruled that the petitions raised serious constitutional questions that warranted hearing by a bench of multiple judges.
