Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has warned that Judges could be vetted afresh, following a recent surge in cases of corruption and bribery among judicial officers.

Mutunga yesterday said that though the Judiciary had performed well, it had been tainted by rising cases of corruption among its ranks. He said at the annual judges’ colloquium held on Monday

"The radical surgery and vetting exercises were traumatising experiences for most of the judges, and I am sure no judge would like to go through that experience again," said Mutunga.

 The annual judges' colloquium brings together all serving judges in the country for self-reflection among peers.

The scores of judges will be in Mombasa all week as they review their five-year performance since the country passed the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

"But if we do not take a personal and professional stand against this vice, then I can assure you the vetting exercise will be back - and, this time, in a more vicious form than the previous one," Mutunga warned.

Mutunga also warned that the Judicial Service Commission would take disciplinary action against delayed rulings, absenteeism and laziness.

"JSC takes no pleasure in subjecting judges to disciplinary processes, but will not flinch in acting tough on these integrity concerns. The bar of public accountability has risen and we must accept that this is the reality of the new Kenya," said Mutunga.

"Although the Judiciary has done well overall, one of the issues that seems to be seeping back, and which I wish to raise directly with you, is corruption," said Mutunga.

Mutunga said judges were among the best-paid government officers enjoying highly concessionary mortgage and car loan facilities and that such allowances should act as barriers to bribery.

"I have never understood why a judge should indulge in a practice so demeaning at both professional and personal level," said Mutunga.

"The driver of corruption cannot therefore be poverty, unless it is poverty of self-respect and honour," he said.

"The dash to the courts by individuals and institutions has created the impression that this is a country governed by the courts," said Mutunga.

Deputy CJ Lady Justice Kalpana Rawal, who also spoke at the opening ceremony, said the Judiciary received more criticism due to the more robust Bill of Rights provided by the new constitution.

"The five years' journey, you will agree with me, has been many things, but no walk in the park," said Rawal.