This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
On August 31, 2019, a disturbing incident occurred in a Malindi court, sparking concerns about the integrity of the judicial process.
Dr. Julie Oseko, a magistrate based in Malindi, was accused of disrupting court proceedings by using her phone and chatting with others during a high-profile case involving Turkish tycoon Elsek Osman.
According to court documents, Osman, who is facing ten counts of child defilement, submitted a petition to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) accusing Dr. Oseko of lacking concentration and making glaring errors in the proceedings.
The petition, supported by Osman's advocates Cliff Ombeta and Daniel Wamotsa, alleged that Dr. Oseko was texting, making calls, and using her phone to surf the internet on several occasions, thereby disrupting the court proceedings.
Osman's advocates also claimed that Dr. Oseko's written court records did not reflect a true account of witness testimonies, and that she had left the courtroom at one point to answer a call.
The case, which is scheduled for mention on Monday, has raised concerns about the impartiality of the judiciary and the need for magistrates to maintain a professional demeanor during court proceedings.
