Panic Grips Kenya’s Supreme Court as Ghanaian CJ Is Sent Packing

There is panic within the Kenyan Supreme Court after Ghanaian President John Mahama suspended the country’s Supreme Court Chief Justice, a move that marks a first in the country’s history.

The suspension came after several petitions were filed against Gertrude Torkornoo which called for her permanent removal.

The Ghanaian president has also directed that an investigation be launched against her.

Gertrude Torkornoo is Ghana’s third female chief justice

This move has caused serious concern within the Kenyan Supreme Court, especially at the CJ’s doorstep.

According to sources within Kenya’s embattled CJ’s office and the entire Supreme Court, the news from Ghana has exacerbated an already delicate situation at Kenya’s apex court.

Koome believes that the Ghanaian President has set a bad precedent for the entire continent.

The two judiciaries share close ties.

Koome is currently battling several petitions that have called for her removal in courts.

“We request the JSC to compel President William Ruto to form a tribunal and begin the process of removing CJ Martha Koome over allegations of corruption, gross misconduct and misbehavior,” reads part of the petition filed at the JSC.

Sources within the JSC tell Kenya Insights that Everlyne Olwande, facing two others in her reelection bid, and former Governor Isaac Ruto want the CJ out.

Olwande was once the CJ’s ally but now reads from different scripts.

Koome’s petition is unique as the body she heads (JSC) has called for her dismissal.

The JSC told the court that it wants to deal with Koome’s case swiftly and decisively.

She would have been suspended even before her counterpart in Ghana if not for the current court directives on her case.

Sources within some high ranks in government indicate that CJ Koome may be on her way out.

“She better resign because all the plans to push her out are ready, there is no going back,” a source familiar with the matter told this reporter.

Our judiciary sources question why she doesn’t want to appear before the JSC if she’s innocent.

They allege she has handpicked the expanded bench to hear her petition, creating a potential conflict of interest and raising corruption concerns.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​