The Judiciary/FILE
The security detail of Chief Justice Martha Koome has allegedly been withdrawn and officers attached to the Judiciary Police Unit reduced.
The Judiciary made the claims in a letter addressed to Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Thursday.
In the letter seen by the Star, the Judiciary protested the move, terming it one that undermines its independence, threatens institutional integrity, and sets a dangerous precedent that suggests key constitutional offices can be undermined through external pressure or retaliation.
“This act of withdrawal sends an unmistakably damaging message: that those tasked with defending justice and constitutional liberties are susceptible to interference. Such a signal erodes public confidence in the Judiciary’s impartiality, threatening its role as a check against abuse of power and its capacity to uphold the rule of law,” the letter reads in part.
It adds that the withdrawal of the CJ’s security is an affront to the separation of powers where each arm of government is expected to operate independently and in total respect of the autonomy of others.
The CJ’s office, the letter adds, is now exposed to vulnerabilities, compromising its ability to perform its constitutional mandate.
The Judiciary pointed out to the CS and IG that the CJ’s security is not a personal privilege but a structural necessity to ensure the Judiciary functions autonomously and fearlessly.
“I therefore call upon the National Police Service and all relevant state actors to immediately and unconditionally restore the security detail of the Chief Justice. This step is not merely administrative but essential to reaffirming the Judiciary’s independence, safeguarding the integrity of constitutional offices, and ensuring the continued growth of Kenya’s democracy,” the CJ affirmed.
“Additionally, the capacity of the Judiciary Police Unit must be strengthened not diminished, to address the pressing need for enhanced judicial security in a rapidly evolving environment and against the precedent of open attack of judges and judicial officers in open court,” Koome added.
“No amount of intimidation or undue pressure will ever stop us from discharging our constitutional mandate with integrity and impartiality.”
But in a quick rejoinder, the National Police Service, through Spokesperson Resila Onyango, denied the claims, saying the CJ’s security had not been withdrawn.
The Service said “the officers have been recalled to attend their promotional courses”.
“In the meantime, they have been replaced by other officers for the period they will be on training. The National Police Service reiterates its commitment to multi-agency collaboration and cooperation within the criminal justice system of Kenya,” Onyango said.