KENYA : Ministry of Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary, Cs Kipchumba Murkomen has called out Chief Justice Martha Koome for her public statement over the withdrawal of her security.
Speaking on Friday, January 24, Murkomen expressed that the withdrawal of some of the CJ's security detail was a small matter, hence no need to issue a public statement.
The CS questioned how a personal letter addressed to him was shared with the public, noting that many may have believed that there was a scheme to deny her security.
In clarifying the changes in Koome's security, Murkomen explained that three officers were withdrawn for promotion.
He added that the CJ still had enough security personnel to guard her and her property.
" The IG thought he was doing the officers a favour by promoting them but it appears that same favour has hit the IG hard. Ordinarily, the CJ should have called the IG to say thank you for promoting her officers. Unfortunately, it has gone the other way," the CS remarked.
"We want to assure the CJ that it was a small matter and it did not necessitate raising the alarm. People all over the world now think that there is a scheme somewhere to deny the CJ security."
On the other hand, Murkomen stated that the National Police Service (NPS) had overdeployed enough personnel to protect her.
"The Chief Justice is among public officers who are well taken care of in terms of her security. I know the manual says that she is entitled to 6 police officers as bodyguards but the CJ has been given up to 32 police officers," the CS added.
"Even after the three were removed from training, the CJ was still going to remain with 29 officers."
Yesterday, Chief Justice Martha Koome’s decried the withdrawal of her security detail and a reduction in officers assigned to the Judiciary Police Unit.
The Chief Justice, in a letter addressed to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, condemned the decision, terming it as a violation of the Constitution’s principle of separation of powers.
"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,” she said.
She called for the immediate reinstatement of her security and an enhancement of the Judiciary Police Unit’s capacity.
The move, initiated by the Interior Ministry, has sparked tensions between the Judiciary and the Executive, with concerns raised over constitutional implications.
According to Koome, the security reduction has exposed her office and judicial officers to vulnerabilities, undermining the Judiciary’s ability to fulfil its constitutional mandate.
“This action not only exacerbates existing vulnerabilities but also jeopardises the security of judicial personnel and spaces across the country, thereby undermining the entire justice system’s operational efficacy,” she said.