The term “JurisPesa,” popularized by Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, was once a controversial allegation that led the Supreme Court to ban his firm in 2024 for scandalizing the bench. However, by 2026, the judiciary has transitioned from punitive silencing toward an era of radical engagement. This was signaled by a landmark consultative meeting in February 2026, where Chief Justice Martha Koome hosted her fiercest critics—including Ahmednasir and Nelson Havi—to address systemic barriers and the “commodification of justice” head-on.

This shift reflects an evolution from the leadership of former Chief Justice David Maraga, who focused on institutional building and initial automation, to Koome’s “Social Transformation through Access to Justice” (STAJ) blueprint. While Maraga laid the groundwork for electronic filing during the pandemic, the current administration is moving toward “constitutional textualism,” prioritizing substantive justice over the procedural technicalities that previously allowed “rogue” actors to hide behind the law.

The battle for integrity is now anchored in the 2026 Judicial Service Regulations, which simplify the removal of judges by allowing anonymous whistleblower petitions and institutional motions based on internal intelligence. This procedural evolution is designed to transform rumors into investigated facts, moving away from the era where individual misconduct was handled in isolation. The successful removal of Judge Juma Chitembwe remains a cornerstone precedent for this new, more aggressive era of judicial self-correction.

References:

I.CONnect ‘JurisPesa’: Confronting Corruption in Kenya’s Judiciary

The Lawyer Africa Supreme Court Lifts Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC Ban After 2-Year Suspension: AG (for CS Interior) vs. Nguruman Ltd SC Petition No. E015 of 2025

Legal Express Kenya A detailed guide on the newly published Judicial Service (Petition for Removal of a Judge) (Procedure) Regulations, 2026, illustrating how the public and insider routes are designed to enforce institutional accountability.