Chief Justice Martha Koome has dismissed as “fake” a letter circulating on social media that purportedly raises concerns over attempts to interfere with the independence of the Supreme Court.
In a statement, the Judiciary said the document was fabricated and did not originate from Koome, her office or any authorised organ of the Judiciary.
“The Judiciary wishes to categorically state that the letter is FAKE. It was neither authored nor issued by the Chief Justice Martha Koome, her Office, nor any authorised organ of the Judiciary,” the Judiciary said.
The Judiciary said the fabrication and circulation of purported official communication was a serious matter, particularly because the document sought to attribute positions to the institution that it had neither taken nor expressed.
It said it was concerned by attempts to invoke the name and institutional authority of the Chief Justice to construct or amplify political narratives and partisan interests.
The fake letter purported to be a statement from Koome following a complaint allegedly lodged with the Judicial Service Commission by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu.
According to the fabricated document, Mwilu had reported what it described as sustained attempts to influence her in connection with a matter pending before the Supreme Court.
The document purportedly linked the alleged interference to a constitutional petition concerning the eligibility of impeached public officers to contest elective positions.
The Judiciary, however, said such positions should not be attributed to the Chief Justice through fabricated communication.
“The Judiciary is concerned by attempts to invoke the name and institutional authority of the Chief Justice to construct or amplify political narratives and partisan interests,” it said.
It warned that the name, office and authority of the Chief Justice must not be misrepresented to lend credibility to political messaging or misinformation.
The Judiciary urged members of the public, media practitioners and other stakeholders to verify any purported official communication before sharing or relying on it.
“Any communication attributed to the Chief Justice or the Judiciary should be verified through the Judiciary’s established and official communication channels before it is relied upon or disseminated,” the institution said.
The Judiciary said it would continue discharging its constitutional mandate with independence and impartiality while upholding the Constitution and the law.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to integrity, institutional responsibility and public accountability.
The public has been advised to disregard the fabricated letter and any narratives derived from its contents.
The clarification comes amid heightened political and public interest in cases before the Supreme Court, particularly matters touching on eligibility for elective office and the constitutional powers of state institutions.
