Professor Karuti Kanyinga, a development studies researcher from the University of Nairobi, has raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of judicial institutions across Africa. During the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, he described the continent’s courts as becoming commodified, noting that bribery and political interference are increasingly common.
Kanyinga highlighted a shift where justice is effectively accessible only to those with significant wealth or political influence. He emphasized that strong executive branches and weakened parliaments have exacerbated this trend, frequently forcing courts to act as arenas for political battles. According to the professor, judges often face severe pressure, ranging from intimidation and threats to the receipt of illicit rewards like property or cash, which severely undermines their independence.
Addressing the broader state of democracy, Kanyinga argued that the current model has failed to alleviate poverty in nations such as Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. He pointed to the excessive financial cost of running for office, which he believes leads to the capture of public policy by private interests. Furthermore, he observed that political parties currently lack distinct ideological goals, contributing to a sense of disillusionment among youth, who are increasingly leaving the continent for better opportunities elsewhere.
Kanyinga concluded by calling for urgent reforms to insulate the judiciary from political manipulation, urging leaders to shift their focus from electoral competition toward governance that can deliver tangible economic improvements for all citizens.
