Finger-pointing ensues as CJ Koome protests Executive intimidation, security withdrawal
Chief Justice Martha Koome has come out strongly to defend her turf after it had been reported that her security had been withdrawn yesterday.
The embattled Supreme Court president was reacting to the move by the National Police Service had pulled out her personal security detail. She protested through a letter copied to Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
In her letter which was shared to newsroom, the CJ stated; “The Constitution of Kenya obligates all state organs to operate in the spirit of consultation, collaboration and mutual respect in service to the people. Central to this framework is the independence of institutions, particularly the Judiciary, which is charged with safeguarding justice, upholding the rule of law, and defending constitutional principles. It is against this backdrop that I express profound concern over the withdrawal of security for the Chief Justice-an act that undermines judicial independence, threatens institutional integrity and endangers democratic progress.”
Her statement went further; “Security for the Chief Justice is not a personal privilege but a structural necessity to ensure the Judiciary can function autonomously and without fear. It serves as an institutional safeguard to protect judicial officers, premises and processes from any threats that could impair the administration of justice. The withdrawal of this security detail is an egregious affront to the principle of separation of powers. It destabilizes the delicate balance upon which democratic governance is founded, where each arm of government operates independently while respecting the autonomy of others. Such an action not only weakens public trust in state institutions but also sets a perilous precedent, suggesting that key constitutional offices can be undermined through external pressure or retaliation.”
CJ Koome who has been on the spotlight by a section of the legal fraternity, who want her to resign following the inefficiencies in the Judiciary, is vowing to stay put.
However in a rejoinder, the Police Spokesperson Resila Onyango discounted claims that the Chief Justice was being coerced and intimidated but instead that the move was merely for administrative purposes.
“Contrary to the media reports suggesting that National Police Service (NPS) has withdrawn the security detail of some judicial officials, the National Police Service wishes to clarify that the Officers have been recalled to attend their promotional courses. In the meantime, they have been replaced by other officers for the period they will be on training. The National Police Service reiterates its commitment to multi-agency collaboration and cooperation within the criminal justice system of Kenya.”
Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi who has been a vocal critic of the CJ through his X account said; “Martha Koome has lost public confidence. She has lost the sympathy seeking cry. She has lost the propaganda war. She has lost the publicity battle. She has lost all credibility. She has become a liability to the third arm of State. She has resorted to cheap lies. She must resign.”
