JSC Rot: “Why I Paid Over Sh4 Million for a High Court Slot” — Explosive Claims by ‘Incoming Judge’

Fresh allegations of deep-rooted corruption within the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) have emerged after a man who recently underwent interviews for a High Court judgeship sensationally claimed he paid millions of shillings to secure the position.

The individual, who spoke on condition of anonymity but described himself as an “incoming judge,” alleged that the process of appointing judges in Kenya has been compromised by powerful cartels operating within and around the judiciary.

Speaking during a closed-door meeting at a high-end Nairobi hotel, the man reportedly boasted that merit plays little to no role in determining who ascends to the bench.

“I have paid over Sh5 million for this slot. Call me incoming Justice… we are already judges,” he claimed.

He went further to suggest that the ongoing recruitment process by the Judicial Service Commission is merely a formality, alleging that successful candidates are predetermined through financial influence and connections.

“You poor Magistrates and advocates think that you will be selected based on merit? If you don’t have cash, don’t even bother applying,” he added.

According to the claims, a senior official within the commission is acting as a key intermediary, linking wealthy lawyers and individuals from influential families to decision-makers inside the system.

The official allegedly coordinates payments and ensures that preferred candidates are shortlisted and eventually appointed.

Sources familiar with the matter claim that these networks have been entrenched for years, with aspiring judges required to part with between Sh5 million and Sh10 million depending on the court level and competition.

The High Court, being one of the most influential divisions within the judiciary, is reportedly among the most expensive slots to secure.

We understand that the allegations come at a time when the Kenyan judiciary has been under increasing public scrutiny over integrity concerns.

While the Judicial Service Commission has consistently maintained that its recruitment processes are transparent and merit-based, critics argue that such claims point to a widening trust deficit.

“Judicial independence is the backbone of any democratic society. If appointments are influenced by money, then justice itself is effectively on sale,” said a Nairobi-based constitutional lawyer who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Analysts note that compromised appointments could have a direct impact on the quality of rulings and public confidence in the courts. Judges who allegedly buy their way into office may feel beholden to benefactors or compelled to recoup their “investment” through corrupt dealings once in office, a situation that could perpetuate a cycle of corruption within the system.

Civil society groups are now calling for an independent probe into the allegations, urging bodies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to intervene.

“There is an urgent need for a thorough and transparent investigation. These are not light claims, they strike at the core of our justice system,” said one governance activist.

By the time of publication, neither the Judicial Service Commission nor judiciary officials had publicly responded to the claims. Efforts to reach the alleged official within the commission were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the identity of the self-proclaimed “incoming judge” remains withheld as further investigations continue.

Observers say the coming days could prove crucial in determining whether these revelations will trigger reforms, or be quietly ignored.

This is a developing story.