High Court Judge Anthony Mrima has claimed he has been threatened by senior state officers over what was termed as him issuing "unfavourable orders" against the State.
Mrima made the remarks as he was delivering a ruling Thursday in which he sentenced DCI Director George Kinoti to four months in prison, for failing to obey court orders requiring him to return firearms belonging to businessman Jimi Wanjigi.
“Recently I handled a matter and issued some orders. The orders were directed towards some senior state officers. I was surprised to be approached by an emissary sent by one of the said state officers,” Mrima said.
The Judge did not mention which matter he particularly handled but said the emissary had one clear message: that he should stop being personal and cease to issue what was described as 'unfavourable orders'.
Mrima says the message did not end there as he was further informed that if he did not heed the warning, he would be dealt with firmly using many other processes at their disposal.
“I am not new to such threats and actual acts of violence against me,” he said.
Mrima added that during the last election cycle, he handled a poll petition where several emissaries were sent to him with instructions in the manner in which he was to determine the election petition.
Mrima didn’t mention which petition but said he declined the invitation and informed them that he will decide the matter purely on the basis of the law and evidence.
His position subsequently elicited a vicious reaction.
“My house was burgled into. It was ransacked. Things were thrown all over. Safe for a safe which was carried away, everything else was left in the house.
Mrima said he chose to share the threats and experience not out of fear but to affirm his position that he will endeavour to uphold the oath of office.
“I will as usual continue to discharge my functions in the best way possible without fear or favour...I would be most grateful to be corrected within the rule of law,” he said.
Edited by D Tarus