Kenya: Koome Disowns Fake Letter Alleging Plot to Influence Supreme Court

What the report says

Kenya’s Judiciary has rejected a letter circulating on social media and attributed to Chief Justice Martha Koome, saying the document is fake and was not issued by the Chief Justice, her office or any authorized Judiciary body. The public notice, reported by Capital FM and distributed by AllAfrica, was issued in Nairobi and came after the alleged letter began spreading online.

According to the report, the fabricated document tried to present itself as an official statement about supposed efforts to influence the Supreme Court. It also made claims involving Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, the Judicial Service Commission, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Chief Justice David Maraga and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. The Judiciary said none of those assertions came from Koome or any legitimate arm of the institution.

The institution warned that the hoax appeared intended to create a political narrative around a sensitive judicial matter. It stressed that the Judiciary is constitutionally independent and urged the public, journalists and other stakeholders to verify any supposed official communication through its formal channels before sharing it. The warning comes as Kenyan courts handle disputes with political implications, including questions about the eligibility of impeached public officials to run for office.