Tuesday, September 17, 2024 – President William Ruto’s administration is on the receiving end for being petty after it withdrew the security detail of High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi.
Justice Mugambi's security was
withdrawn after jailing the Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert
Masengeli for six months for failing to appear in court to explain the
whereabouts of three Kenyans who were abducted by the police during the
anti-government protests led by the Gen Zs.
Leading the charge, Chief
Justice Martha Koome condemned the move, terming it unconstitutional.
“A disturbing action was taken
by the national police in the wake of the sentencing of the acting IG. Police
belonging to Mugambi were disarmed and subsequently withdrawn over the
weekend,” Koome stated as she condemned the action.
The Chief Justice noted that the
actions are against Article 160 of the constitution, which emphasises the
independence of the judiciary.
“Retaliatory measures against judicial officers are uncalled for. JSC calls for the national police to
restore the security of Hon. Justice Mugambi,” she stated.
Koome further assured Kenyans
that the Judiciary is committed to standing firm in protecting the rule of law,
while condemning the “act of intimidation by the national police.”
"The act of withdrawing the
security of a sitting Judge, following a judicial decision that displeased
certain authorities, is deeply concerning.”
“It sends a chilling
message to the Judiciary and the public at large: that those entrusted
with upholding justice and safeguarding our rights can be intimidated,
bullied, or retaliated against for their rulings," Koome noted.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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