Chief Justice Martha Koome has instructed court stations to allow journalists access to the premises in order to cover court sessions.
Journalists have complained to the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) that they have been prohibited from covering events at several stations across the nation.
In an internal message to all Principal Judges, Presiding Judges, and Heads of Stations, Chief Justice Koome stressed that the judiciary and the media must collaborate to achieve accountability.
checks on the functioning of the State,” reads the memo dated March 4.
“The two institutions play role in societal development as they work towards bringing to the fore the various problems in the society and nudging the duty-bearers to work towards the resolution of such problem.”
During her tenure as Supreme Court President, the President stated that she is committed to developing a positive connection between the judiciary and the media in order to advance justice.
“At a recent meeting with the Kenya Editors’ Guild,” Koome added, ”I assured that this shared overarching role in the society will shape and steer the relationship between the Judiciary and the media during my tenure in office as Chief Justice.”
“In this regard, I would like court stations to grant access to MCK accredited journalists unrestricted access to cover proceedings in courts,” she said.
