This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
Published on October 15, 2019, a man has taken the Kenyan State to court over the withdrawal of diplomatic passports for High Court judges and their denial of access to VIP airport lounges.
Jonathan Munene is suing Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, Immigration Services director Alexander Muteshi, and Attorney-General Paul Kihara Kariuki, with the Kenya Judges Welfare Association listed as an interested party.
Mr. Munene wants a 2012 legal notice quashed, which directed the withdrawal of diplomatic passports and VIP lounge access for High Court judges. He argues this move is discriminatory and threatens judicial independence, as all judges, regardless of the courts they serve, are of equal status.
"Unless this matter is heard and determined, the fabric of judicial independence, rule of law, and general constitutional order will be subverted," said his lawyer Albert Murambi.
The 2012 legal notice, issued on June 15, listed government officials entitled to diplomatic passports and VIP lounge access, excluding High Court judges who previously enjoyed these benefits.
At the time, officials in the Office of the President indicated that there had been complaints from the Kenya Airports Authority regarding an increase in officials seeking access to the lounges.
