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State Withdraws CJ Koome’s Security Detail

It is the second time in four months that security detail of a senior judge has been withdrawn.

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10 months ago

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The state through Interior Ministry has withdrawn the Chief Justice Martha Koome’s security detail and slashed the number of officers attached to the Judiciary Police Unit.

The CJ on Thursday write a protest letter to a protest letter to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja following the development of which she has accused the Executive of interfering with the judiciary which is an independent arm 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 the letter.

Koome now fears for her life and those of court users whom she now claims are exposed to unknown dangers.

“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.”

CJ Koome held that reduction of officers in the Judiciary Police Unit has exposed court users to danger.

Abductions

This comes in the backdrop of attempts by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohamed Amin to avoid court having been thwarted after the High Court ordered them to appear in person on January 30, 2025, to explain the whereabouts of three men abducted in Mlolongo, Machakos, last December.

Justice Chacha Mwita dismissed an application by the two police chiefs seeking exemption from court attendance, arguing that they were unaware of who arrested the three men or where they were being held.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohamed Amin

The court order follows IG Kanja’s recent statement expressing his willingness to appear and provide an explanation regarding the abductions of Justus Mutumwa, Martin Mwau, and Kalani Muema, who were reportedly arrested by individuals believed to be police officers on December 16, 2024.

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Justice Mwita directed both Mr Kanja and Mr Amin to appear in person to confirm whether they had complied with court orders to release the abductees.

Justice Mwita ordered their mandatory court appearance on January 30, 2025, and directed the immediate and unconditional release of the abductees, who must be presented in court alive or dead by Thursday next week.

This ruling comes just hours after another judge, Justice Bahati Mwamuye, temporarily suspended orders requiring the two police bosses to appear before him on January 27, 2025, regarding the abductions of seven other young men.

Justice Mwamuye had ordered their appearance over the cases, including that of Mbisi Kavingo, who has never been freed, and Kevin Muthoni. Six of those abducted in December 2024 have since been released, including Billy Mwangi from Embu County.

In September last year, High Court Judge Hon. Justice Lawrence Mugambi’s security was withdrawn after sentencing them Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to six months in prison for defying seven court orders in regards to then missing Kitengela three; Bob njagi, Jamil Longton and Aslam Longton they would be released later on the same day when Masengeli took to the dock.

In her letter to Mr Murkomen and Mr Kanja, CJ Koome says that the unit needed more officers to enhance security in Judiciary spaces.

“This (withdrawal of Judiciary Police Unit officers) not only exacerbates existing vulnerabilities but also jeopardizes the security of judicial personnel and spaces across the country, thereby undermining the entire justice system’s operational efficacy,” she said.

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“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,” CJ Koome added.

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