CJ Koome Launches Investigations Into MP Peter Salasya Accused of Threatening Magistrate
Peter Salasya, a member of parliament for Mumias East, has been denounced by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on charges that he threatened the life of Resident Magistrate Gladys Kiama.
A committee, under the direction of Chief Justice Martha Koome, was additionally dispatched by JSC to investigate the allegations.
“The Commission has deployed its team to the ground to conduct further investigations and engage the agencies handling the matter with a view of taking appropriate action in line with its mandate,” JSC noted in a statement.
“The Commission wishes to reiterate that the decisional independence of a Judge or judicial officers must be safeguarded at all times, and when litigants are aggrieved by the decision of the court, they may seek redress through the appellate process.”
Additionally, the JSC reaffirmed to all judges, judicial officers, and staff its steadfast dedication to preserving and guarding the autonomy of the judiciary.
In addition, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) requested an investigation into Salasya from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Additionally, LSK demanded the MP’s urgent arrest in a statement dated November 28, should the investigations confirm the baseless accusations brought against him.
“LSk urges the DCI to conduct a thorough, speedy, and impartial investigation to determine the facts surrounding the alleged threats,” read part of a statement by LSK.
“Judicial officers must be able to carry out their functions without fear of intimidation or threats while adhering strictly to the law.”
As per LSK, ensuring the well-being of judicial officers is crucial for upholding the credibility of the Judiciary; therefore, it is ideal to establish an environment that is conducive to their professional duties.
“This call for immediate legal action is crucial to send an unequivocal and strong message that threats against judicial officers will not be tolerated in our democratic society,” LSK noted.
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“The Law Society of Kenya strongly condemns any form of intimidation or threats against judicial officers.”
Member of Parliament Salasya was alleged to have threatened the life of Kakamega Law Courts Resident Magistrate Gladys Kiama after the latter’s delivery of a ruling mandating the repayment of a Kshs500,000 debt owed to a businessman.
Kiama, who filed a report with the Kakamega Police Station, claimed that Salasya confronted and threatened to murder her outside the courtroom.
Subsequently, he purportedly initiated phone calls and transmitted menacing communications via WhatsApp and Short Message Service.
“Having delivered a judgment in a small claim matter vide case against Hon. Peter Salasya, MP for Mumias East Constituency, where he had been sued for failing to refund the money loaned to him by the claimant, he confronted her outside the courtroom and threatened to kill her and then took off,” read part of a police report.
In a recorded video published on his X page, the member of parliament responded to the allegations by accusing the magistrate of attempting to damage his reputation through media attention.
“Let the Kakamega court and lawyers be informed that we are busy working. As for that woman seeking media attention, let her come, find, and arrest me,” Salasya dared, accusing the court of being corrupt.
CJ Koome Launches Investigations Into MP Peter Salasya Accused of Threatening Magistrate