A new police commander was Wednesday posted to the Judiciary to head the Judiciary Police Unit (JPU).
This is a new unit that is tasked with the protection of court installations and staff in general.
Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli posted Ibrahim Ramadhan Omar as the unit's new commander.
Omar replaced Samuel Ndungu who was recalled to APS headquarters in changes.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah B. Mokaya, received Omar at the Supreme Court in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 14.
Mokaya briefed the new Commanding Officer on the Judiciary's critical security needs.
These needs include the protection of Judges, Judicial Officers, and staff and the security of judicial infrastructure across the country.
She also urged the new Commanding Officer to prioritize the deployment of additional officers to the Judiciary Police Unit.
She further stressed the urgent need to educate all Judiciary personnel on maintaining personal security protocols at all times.
Omar comes to the judiciary with 36 years of distinguished service, most recently within the Security of Government Buildings and VIP Protection Unit.
The new unit has officers from the regular police and the Administration Police Service.
It is similar to the others such as the parliamentary police and those guarding government installations.
The head of the unit is based at the Judiciary where he or she will coordinate juniors to protect courts and other judicial buildings.
The National Police Service protects major installations in the country including parliament, judiciary and major government departments.
Several independent offices have special teams seconded there to run various security affairs.
The changes were the latest made by Masengeli as he settled down to work as the new boss.
The Judicial Police Unit was formed following consultations between the police and judiciary.
The Judiciary had made recommendations for the creation of the unit in a report to reform the institution.
It was then established in 2021 with new police officers being deployed there.
The changes come amid growing security threats on the judiciary at large over various reasons including work related, officials said.
