The Commission on Administrative Justice Annual Report 2012

Abstract

This is the first Annual Report of the Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) since establishment in November 2011. The Commission is established under Article 59(4) of the Constitution and the Commission of Administrative Justice Act, 2011. It has the status and powers of a Commission under Chapter Fifteen of the Constitution. The Commission is empowered to, among other things, investigate any conduct in state affairs or any act or omission in public administration in any sphere of Government, and complaints of abuse of power, unfair treatment, manifest injustice or unlawful, oppressive, unfair or unresponsive official conduct. Further, the Commission has a quasi-judicial mandate to deal with maladministration through conciliation, mediation and negotiation where appropriate. Besides, like other Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices, the Commission has been bestowed with the responsibility of protecting the sovereignty of Kenyans, promoting constitutionalism and securing the observance of democratic values and principles. In this regard, the Commission is the protector of public interest and acts as the citizen’s watchman in the management of public affairs.