Supreme Court Judge Lady Justice Njoki Ndung'u during the launch of Judiciary Committee on Elections (JCE) Operational Plan 2025–2028, on Monday, July 21. Photo: The Judiciary X.
Supreme Court Judge Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u has urged the National Assembly to avoid coming up with last-minute electoral laws and reforms.
Speaking during the launch of the Judiciary Committee on Elections (JCE) Operational Plan 2025–2028, which was stablished to enhance public confidence and trust in the Judiciary’s ability to fairly resolve electoral disputes and maintain its role as the preferred forum for addressing electoral grievances.
Njoki said that it has become a culture for parliamentarians to come up with electoral laws as election nears, like what was witnessed in the past three elections. She added that they are aware of other legislations before them, but timing and adherence to the laws is critical, when it comes to elections.
” We are fully aware that there are other legislations not only from JSC, but also other stakeholders. I want to plead with Parliament that the timing of legislative changes is critical, whether its to change the constitution or change statues. Please we plead that these changes are done well in time for training and prepared ness of the judiciary and its official,” she pleaded.
In 2013, the first election under the 2010 Constitution, Members of Parliament (MPs) came up with new electoral reforms two months to the election, three months to the elections, as well as in 2022, which Njoki said should be avoided, as it gives small window span for the Judiciary to take it up fully and train its members.
“We saw it happened in 2013 legislative change coming two months to the elections 2017 coming just three even in 2022 our plea is that this should be avoided,” she added.
JCE to lead a responsive, transparent, and resilient electoral justice system that upholds democratic integrity and public trust. The JCE’s Operational Plan 2025-2028 is a crucial building block aimed at ensuring excellence by courts in discharging their Election Dispute Resolution (EDR) mandate.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, further affirming the judiciary readiness to resolve any conflict arising from 2027 General Elections, as she urged adherence to the rule of law.
“I want to affirm the Judiciary stand that we are ready and fully committed to adjudicate electoral disputes with fairness, efficiency and independent minds cause committed to our oath of office and we will do it with integrity as done in the last election cycles,” she affirmed.
She urged Kenyans to support the recently attack from the political class to execute its duties as required in the Constitution to deliver a just Kenya.
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