The Security detail of Kenya's Chief Justice Martha Koome has reportedly been withdrawn.
According to reports, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration has not only withdrawn Koome's security detail but also reduced the number of officers in the Judiciary Police Unit.
The move has been effected on Thursday, January 23 by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja.
The Chief Justice has condemned the withdrawal of her security, arguing that the move is tantamount to Executive interference with the Judiciary contrary to the Constitution’s demands for independence of both arms of government.
" The withdrawal of this security detail is an egregious affront to the principle of separation of powers. Such an action not only weakens trust in public institutions but also sets a perilous precedent, suggesting that key constitutional offices can be undermined through external pressure or retaliation,” CJ Koome said in a protest letter seen by JULISHA.
“By exposing the office (of the CJ) to vulnerabilities through withdrawal of security, the ability of the Judiciary to perform its constitutional mandate is gravely compromised.” the letter added.
The President of the Supreme Court is urging that Murkomen and Kanja restore her security detail, made up of police officers, unconditionally, and to strengthen the capacity of the Judiciary Police Unit.
This is not the first time the National Police Service Inspector General has been involved in a tussle with the Judiciary.
Kanja has already missed two court appearancess in cases filed by human rights groups over the recent abductions, a move that saw High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye issue a warning that he would sentence the IG on the spot if he missed the next.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, January 21, the Inspector General of Police, revealed that he will honour the next court summons.
Kanja said that he would be in court personally to attend to the orders issued by the judge.
"There is no problem and when the time will come for me to appear in court, I will be there personally," the IG remarked.
