Judges, magistrates condemn withdrawal of Chief Justice Koome’s security detail
The association's executive council, led by Justice Stephen Radido, criticised the National Police Service (NPS) for engaging in what it called "Gestapo-like practices" in its dealings with the judiciary.
The Kenya Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (KMJA) has condemned what it terms the “unilateral and arbitrary” withdrawal of security for Chief Justice Martha Koome, describing it as a threat to judicial independence.
In a statement on Friday, KMJA accused unnamed individuals of employing "McCarthyism tactics" to intimidate judicial officers and weaken the judiciary.
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The association's executive council, led by Justice Stephen Radido, criticised the National Police Service (NPS) for engaging in what it called "Gestapo-like practices" in its dealings with the judiciary.
“It is disheartening that, in addition to the McCarthyism tactics deployed by certain members of society, the National Police Service has now resorted to Gestapo-like practices while discharging its obligations to the Judiciary and its members,” the KMJA statement read.
The term "Gestapo-like practices" refers to actions or behaviours that are oppressive, authoritarian, or intimidatory, similar to those associated with the Gestapo, the secret police of Nazi Germany. The Gestapo was notorious for its brutal methods, lack of accountability, and disregard for legal or ethical standards.
The council noted that the decision to withdraw Chief Justice Koome’s security detail was made without prior consultation or notice to the CJ or the Judiciary’s administrative leadership.
KMJA argued that such actions undermine the NPS's constitutional obligation to secure public officers and government institutions.
“The decision by the command of the National Police Service has all the hallmarks of a head-on retributive attack on the Judiciary, for reasons hidden in plain sight,” the statement added.
The association urged the NPS to fulfil its duties within the framework of law and the Constitution, emphasising the importance of consultation and mutual respect among state organs.
Chief Justice Koome, in a letter addressed to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, expressed concern over the withdrawal of her security. She termed the move a violation of constitutional principles and a direct threat to judicial independence.
“Security for the Chief Justice is not a personal privilege but a structural necessity to ensure the judiciary can function autonomously and without fear,” CJ Koome stated.
She further emphasised that security serves as an institutional safeguard to protect judicial officers and procedures from threats that could undermine justice.
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