LSK criticises Judiciary for inefficiencies, corruption

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AVDelta News | Nairobi

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has launched a blistering attack on the Judiciary, accusing it of persistent inefficiencies, ethical failings, and prolonged delays that have eroded public faith in the justice system.

Speaking at the launch of a new reform task force at Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi on Monday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo warned that incremental reforms are no longer sufficient.

She said bold and measurable action is required to restore pride and purpose to public service.

“If I had a shilling every time an advocate complained about a registry misplacing a file, or a client asked why their case is taking six(6) years, I’d have funded the construction of the LSK tower myself,” she quipped, drawing knowing laughter from the audience.

But behind the humour, lay a serious indictment--lost files, opaque processes, and unethical shortcuts--“symptoms of deeper institutional rot". 

“Justice delayed is denied-- and justice compromised by unethical conduct is justice corrupted,” she stated.

The task force, fully backed by the LSK, is charged with auditing registry performance, investigating corruption, bribery and conflicts of interest, evaluating digital systems such as e-filing, and producing monthly public progress reports.

It will consult widely with court users, registry staff, legal advocates and citizens--all part of a mandate that Ms Odhiambo insists goes beyond talk.

“This is not an inquisition. It's an opportunity to restore pride in public services.”

She urged integrity at every level: “Let us not shout ‘justice’ in the courtrooms and then whisper ‘shortcuts’ in the corridors.”

She issued a stern warning that when a clerk accepts a bribe to fast-track a case, someone else’s justice is stolen--and when a judicial officer is compromised, the scales of justice do not merely tilt…they break.

Ms Odhiambo also highlighted broader failures in Kenya’s criminal justice system--including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and weak investigations that collapse in court due to lack of evidence--all of which she said deepen citizens’ mistrust of policing and prosecution agencies.

At this stage, the exact membership of the task force remains under wraps.

Ms Odhiambo assured her audience that members will be named and vetted transparently before work begins in earnest.

With expectations high and time short, this task force represents both a test and a promise--a chance for Kenya to demonstrate that justice can be timely, fair, and free from corruption.

Whether it succeeds or becomes another shelf-bound report will depend on sustained political will and public scrutiny.