Marta Kume’s security has been withdrawn, the officers of the judicial police unit have been reduced

• The Chief Justice announced the withdrawal of her security in a letter addressed to Home Affairs Minister Kipchumba Murkomen and Police IG Douglas Kanja
• She also condemned the alleged weakening of the judicial police unit, many of whose officers she said had been recalled by the state
• Kume asked the Ministry of Interior and relevant government agencies to intervene and send her bodyguards

Nairobi – Chief judge Martha Kume accused the state of having deprived her of her security.

What is said in Kume’s letter to K. WITH. Murkomen

Kume addressed a letter to the Minister of Internal Affairs Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja condemned the move.

“I am deeply concerned about the termination of the protection of the Chief Justice, an act that undermines the independence of the judiciary, threatens institutional integrity and jeopardizes democratic progress,” Kume’s letter, seen by TUKO.co.ke, reads in part.

She did not explain the reason withdrawal of its provision.

CJ said to have her security it is not a service of the state, but a prerogative that the government must uphold.

According to Kume, her security and other court officials is a necessity that guarantees the flawless administration of justice as expected of the judiciary.

“The security of the Chief Justice is not a personal privilege but a structural necessity to ensure that the judiciary can function autonomously and without fear. It serves as an institutional safeguard to protect court officials, premises and processes from any threats that may harm the administration of justice,” her letter reads.

Are judicial officials exposed to security threats?

Apart from her personal woes, Kume lamented the weakening of the judicial police department, which she said had lost a significant number of officers, thus exposing court officials to security challenges.

The CJ found that the state had withdrawn many officers from the unit without replacing them, thus making it weak.

She argued that with such challenges, justice system personnel cannot effectively fulfill their mandate.

Kume was concerned that such acts were clear sabotage by the state actors will leave the judiciary and the executive in conflict, which will consequently hamper the independence of the government it leads.

“The cancellation of this security detail is a flagrant violation of the principle of separation of powers. This destabilizes the delicate balance on which democratic governance is based, where each branch of government acts independently,” Kume said.

Kume appealed to the National Police Service (NPS) and relevant government agencies to resolve the matter.

According to her, the return of her security will emphasize the importance of the autonomy of institutions such as the judiciary, an aspect that is key and decisive in a democracy.

“Therefore, I call on the National Police Service and all relevant state actors to immediately and unconditionally restore the protection of the Chief Justice. This step is not merely administrative but essential to affirm the independence of the judiciary, protect the integrity of constitutional offices and ensure the continued growth of democracy in Kenya,” Kume said.

Why JSC canceled the recruitment of judges

Kume’s ordeal came a day after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which she chairs, announced the termination of recruitment judges of the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

The commission announced 11 vacancies for judges of the appellate instance and five for the High Court.

It is noted that the deficit of the judicial budget affected the hiring.

Source: TUKO.co.ke