This archive report was first published on 23 July 2021.
On July 23, 2021, Chief Justice Martha Koome issued a statement urging judges to continue dispensing their duties without fear, saying their independence is protected by the constitution.
Her statement came after the arrest of two judges, Aggrey Muchelule and Said Chitembwe, who were picked up by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on July 22, 2021, as they headed for lunch.
The DCI officers conducted a search at their chambers at the Milimani law courts, but found nothing. The judges were later driven to the DCI headquarters where they recorded statements.
Justice Koome said that because a case has been filed before the High Court, she would not make any comments but will await the findings of the investigations and make a statement at the 'opportune time'.
The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) also issued a statement condemning the arrests, saying it was meant to intimidate the judges.
"We believe that this intimidation is part of the wider agenda by outside forces to influence the judiciary in its operations," said KMJA secretary general Derrick Kuto.
