CJ Koome implements comprehensive security overhaul as courts reopen

Following a two-week closure due to the fatal shooting of Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti, Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced a series of measures as courts across the country resume services.

The shooting occurred on June 13, 2024, at Makadara Law Courts during a ruling involving a policeman's wife. Magistrate Kivuti succumbed to her injuries on June 14, 2024, at Nairobi Hospital and was buried on June 22, 2024.

Counselling 

To address the psychological impact on judicial officers and court staff, Koome said all key stakeholders at Makadara Law Courts will undergo trauma counselling from June 24-26, 2024.

The counselling will include individual and group sessions led by professional counsellors.

Removal of makeshift structures

She noted that the Directorate of Building Services shall also oversee the dismantling and removal of makeshift structures at Makadara Law Courts based on a directive she issued on Monday, June 17. The CJ announced the end of rendering judicial services in makeshift structures and further lamented that the Judiciary has made several attempts to request sufficient resource allocation to upgrade court facilities. However, the request hasn't been fulfilled yet.

“Makadara Law Courts and all courts across the country shall comply with the following Directions on Security Measures with effect from June 24, 2024,” Koome said.

Armed persons 

According to Koome, no person shall be allowed to access any court premises while armed, except for officers duly accredited to provide security at specific court stations.

“The Judiciary Police Unit, in consultation with the Inspector General, shall reinforce security in all court stations, including Makadara Law Courts, by ensuring strict search protocols,” she directed.

Family and friends of the late Monica Kivuti carry her casket during the funeral service of the slain Makadara Law Court Principal Magistrate in Yatta, Machakos County, on June 22, 2024. (Photo: Judiciary)

Name tags and IDs

Additionally, all judicial officers and staff will be mandated to wear name tags at all times while on court premises.

Other court users, such as advocates, police officers, and the public, will be required to provide identification documents to facilitate access to courts.

Parking 

Access to court parking will also be restricted to vehicles with serialised Judiciary car stickers.

Koome said each station will issue temporary passes to facilitate access by designated visitors.

“Vehicles shall be searched before accessing the courts,” she ordered.

Access restrictions

Koome added that each station will also put in place measures to ensure that there are restrictions on access to chambers of judges and magistrates.

She said the Office of the Chief Registrar shall be immediately notified if any additional support is required to implement this directive.

“Each station shall, in consultation with the Court Users Committees, submit any requests for facilitation of any security infrastructure that is required to address any identified gaps. Stations with makeshift structures and tents should liaise with the Office of the Chief Registrar on modalities of implementing the directives issued by the Chief Justice and the Judicial Service Commission,” Koome emphasised.

Staff of the Mombasa Law Courts, led by Presiding Judge Olga Sewe (4th L), display a picture of the late Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti during a press briefing on June 18, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein/EV)

Customer care desks

To reduce the number of court users who have to visit the registry and court, the CJ said customer care desks will be strengthened through the deployment of adequate staff and ICT equipment.

“This will ensure optimal utilisation of the customer care desks and higher quality of service,” she insisted.

Modalities for courts resuming operations 

Koome noted that the Makadara Law Courts Users Committee (CUC) will meet on June 27, 2024, to discuss the modalities of resuming operations and review security measures.

“The CUC shall also advise on the suitability of the use of virtual courts and registries in some cases to reduce congestion at the court,” Koome said.

On June 28, 2024, Makadara Law Courts shall reorganise the court diaries to assign new dates and implement the recommendations of the CUC on the modalities of resuming court operations.

Koome emphasised that plea-taking will resume at Makadara Law Courts on July 1, 2024. However, only secured and fit-for-purpose courtrooms shall be used for the exercise.

“Hearings and mentions shall resume in the manner advised by the CUC,” she said.

Further, pursuant to resolutions of the CUC, Koome said the Head of Station shall issue a notice on new dates for cases affected during the suspension period.

This, she said, shall also include directions on mention dates, payment of cash bail, and guidance on virtual hearings for the pending matters.

“The notice shall be posted on the Judiciary website,” the CJ said.

“In the meantime, and in consultation with relevant agencies, all matters from Makadara Law Courts shall be handled at Milimani Law Courts as earlier directed. The Judiciary Management team shall work closely with the Makadara Law Courts during this period. We shall regularly review progress made and make any adjustments as shall be necessary to ensure that Makadara Law Courts is a safe and secure environment for judicial officers, staff, and all court users.”

The CJ reiterated that the Judiciary Leadership Team, the HR Directorate, the Building, Infrastructure and Development Committee, and the Judiciary Security Management Committee shall, in addition to these short-term measures, work with other agencies to implement comprehensive long-term security measures so as to ensure the safety and well-being of all judges, judicial officers, staff, and court users.

“We thank the public and all stakeholders for the support they have given us during this difficult time and apologise for the disruption in service delivery at the Court,” Koome added.

Recce Squad officers guard the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi on June 13, 2024, following the shooting of Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti. (Photo: Joseph Ndunda/EV)