This archive report was first published on 3 September 2021.
On September 2, 2021, Chief Justice Martha Karambu Koome revealed a security threat that prompted the government to create a police unit comprising 3000 police officers to protect the Judiciary and its officers.
The threat, which involved individuals planning to bomb the Judiciary premises, was intercepted before they could carry out the heinous act. Koome noted that the move to beef up the judges' security was informed by intelligence she received.
"If you look at this building (referring to the Supreme Court where she sits) we were just sitting ducks," she said.
She added that some judges felt insecure in the courtrooms, citing instances where charged individuals would show up with guns, leaving them vulnerable.
Magistrates in Milimani once told her that they felt very insecure due to the kind of cases they handle, with some individuals entering the courtroom with guns in their pockets.
Her efforts paid off as the police unit was established to guarantee all judicial officers of their safety and is currently led by a police commissioner and a contingent of 3000 officers.
According to Koome, the push for the Judicial Police Unit has been in the pipeline for almost 10 years.
On the judges' adherence to the law, Koome argued that they are equally answerable to the public and that they are not above the law.
She stated that members of the public are at liberty to seek audience with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in case of a complaint.
On the unprecedented interrogation of Justices Aggrey Muchelule and Said Juma Chitembwe, the Chief Justice stated she has proposed a framework that will guide all the security and investigative agencies on how to deal with the judges.
"After dialogue, the JSC, the Interior Ministry CS, and the Inspector General of Police have since come up with a committee to work on the guidelines. It will soon be presented to Kenyans when ready and they too can give their views on how they would want to see judges and magistrates dealt with if they break the law," said CJ.
