The Judiciary is protesting move by the National Police Service to intimidate Justice Lawrence Mugambi after he sentenced Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to jail.
Justice Mugambi sentence Masengeli for 6 months after he was found guilty for contempt of court. This is after he failed to appear in court following several summons regarding the whereabouts of two brothers and an activist who were abducted by police in Kitengela last month. The judge had earlier ordered the release of the trio but the order was not heeded.
Following the sentencing, the National Police Service proceeded to disarm and withdraw the security detail that had been assigned to Justice Mugambi over the weekend.
In a statement, Chief Justice Martha Koome termed the NPS move as a deliberate and punitive.
“This deliberate and punitive move represents a direct assault on the judicial independence, affront to the rule of law and a violation of the principles enshrined in our constitution,” she said.
“The act of withdrawing the security of a judge, following a judicial decision that displeased certain authorities is deeply concerning. It sends a chilling message to the Judiciary and public at large that those entrusted with upholding justice and safeguarding our rights can be intimidated, bullied and retaliated against for their rulings.”
Koome condemned NPS Action saying it would erode public’s trust in courts, undermine the very foundation of the constitutional democracy thus posinbg riusk to disregard of institutions leading to lawlessness.
Koome urged NPS to restore Mugambi’s security while insisting that the Judiciary will not bow to intimidation.
JSC Statement on the intimidation and withdrawal of the security detail of Hon. Justice Lawrence Mugambi, Judge of the High Court of Kenya. pic.twitter.com/fV35H6bj0v
— Judicial Service Commission Kenya (JSC) (@jsckenya) September 16, 2024
Former LSK President Nelson Havi, on the other hand, has called for Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and his PS for undermining the Judiciary.
“CS Interior Kindiki Kithure and PS Interior Raymond Omolo must now be removed from office for undermining the independence of the Judiciary by directing or acquiescing to the withdrawal of the bodyguard of Justice Lawrence Mugambi.