Nairobi: President William Ruto has called upon judges to maintain fairness, courage, and independence in their rulings, emphasizing the importance of courts remaining free from political interference. He highlighted that independent courts act as safeguards against arbitrary actions and ensure justice is both served and visibly upheld, thereby fostering public confidence.
According to Kenya News Agency, President Ruto’s remarks came during the official opening of the 14th International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges (IARMJ) World Conference in Nairobi. He stressed the critical role judges play in ensuring asylum procedures are credible and transparent. The President reminded judges of their solemn duty to provide justice, fairness, and dignity to every refugee and migrant appearing before them, emphasizing the broader impact of their decisions on lives, families, and the credibility of international protection regimes.
President Ruto also highlighted the importance of harmonizing the interpretation of refugee law across jurisdictions, urging judges to ensure fair hearings and uphold obligations under both domestic and international law. He advocated for global cooperation and knowledge-sharing among judges to develop a consistent jurisprudence that guarantees fairness regardless of geography.
Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome, also speaking at the conference, emphasized the centrality of fair and transparent refugee and migration systems, which millions of people rely on for safety and dignity. She underscored the foundation these systems provide for the rights of refugees, migrants, and host communities, highlighting the necessity of maintaining their integrity.
Koome also pointed out the need for asylum and migration processes to be well-managed and free from politicization. She noted that systems weakened by backlogs or inconsistent outcomes quickly lose public trust. Closing legal gaps and ensuring objective decision-making are essential steps in preserving credibility, she argued.
The conference, themed “Protecting the Integrity of the Refugee and Migration Systems,” comes at a time of unprecedented global displacement, with over 120 million people uprooted worldwide. CJ Koome noted the extraordinary pressure on governance systems and the judiciary’s essential role in safeguarding fairness and human rights.
Justice Koome cited the landmark Haki na Sheria judgment by the High Court of Kenya as an example of the judiciary’s role in protecting vulnerable populations, reaffirming the rights of children born in Kenya to mixed-nationality couples. She also highlighted emerging pressures on refugee and migration systems, including climate-induced displacement and technological challenges, urging principled approaches that safeguard fairness and accountability.
The CJ called for stronger regional and international cooperation, noting the importance of networks like the IARMJ in strengthening jurisprudence and enhancing collective capacity. She emphasized the judiciary’s role as custodians of justice and human rights, upholding the foundations of stable and democratic societies.
