The Judiciary has taken the extraordinary step of formally requesting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to initiate investigations into the conduct of Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, following a sustained online campaign accusing the Judiciary of corruption without presenting evidence.
In a strongly worded statement issued by Judiciary Spokesperson Hon. Paul Ndemo, the institution expressed concern over what it described as “relentless but baseless claims” made by Ahmednasir, which it said were aimed at disparaging the Judiciary, its leadership, and Judges.
The statement emphasized that while the Judiciary remains open to scrutiny and accountability, it expects allegations of misconduct to be presented through formal and legal channels.“For months, Senior Counsel Ahmednasir has used social media platforms to make sensational allegations of judicial corruption,” the statement reads. “However, he has not named any specific Judges, nor has he filed any formal complaint with the Judicial Service Commission or law enforcement agencies.”
The Judiciary warned that such conduct, especially from a legal practitioner of Ahmednasir’s stature, undermines public confidence in the judicial system and threatens the rule of law. “This pattern of conduct is not only unbecoming and unprofessional of an advocate with the status of senior counsel, but it also has the potential to erode trust in the Judiciary and undermine the very constitutional democracy we uphold,” the statement added.
While reaffirming its commitment to transparency, the Judiciary decried the public vilification of Judges without due process and called on the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Senior Counsel Bar to take disciplinary action against Ahmednasir. “The legal profession must uphold discipline and integrity. The Bar and the Bench must maintain mutual respect and public trust,” the Judiciary stated.
The spokesperson also cautioned against abuse of the constitutional right to free speech. “There are limits to this freedom. It cannot be used as a shield for impunity or to foster public mistrust in the judicial system,” said Ndemo.
The Judiciary warned of the dangers of eroded confidence in the courts, referencing Kenya’s troubled past during periods of deep judicial mistrust. “Our country has experienced trauma as a result of such mistrust, and any actions that threaten to take us back to that painful chapter must not be ignored.”
The statement concluded with a renewed call to the DPP to act within his constitutional mandate and to legal institutions to uphold the dignity of the profession. “Kenya is greater than any individual. No one is above the law, and no one should mock the Constitution that binds us as a nation.”
