Judges Call for Transparency: No More Masks or Hoodies in Court!
The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) and Kenya Judiciary Staff Association (KJSA) have voiced concerns about the security of judicial officers while performing their duties.
Following the tragic incident where Justice Monica Kivuti was shot while presiding over a case at Nairobi’s Makadara Courts, the associations issued a joint statement emphasizing the need for effective measures to ensure the safety of judges.
Justice Kivuti was fatally shot in the chest and pelvic area by Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of Londiani police station. She later passed away at Nairobi Hospital.
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The associations highlighted that Kivuti’s case is part of a worrying trend of judges facing threats and attacks in courtrooms. They urged the government to respond appropriately to their demands to protect judicial officers.
“The Judiciary, as an employer, must ensure a safe and secure work environment for all its employees, including judges, magistrates, kadhis, adjudicators, and staff,” the statement read.
“It is evident that the governmental bodies responsible for supporting the judiciary in maintaining a safe workspace have failed in their duties.”
As a result, the associations recommended that KMJA and KJSA members cease conducting judicial proceedings in open-air settings, such as tents, containers, or makeshift structures.
They also insisted that judicial proceedings should only take place if armed officers are present in court.
“No court user shall be permitted to enter court premises with their face concealed in any manner unless justified by medical or security reasons,” they added.
Additional recommendations include:
From now on, KMJA and KJSA members will only hold judicial proceedings in professionally approved buildings.
Judges’, Magistrates’, and Kadhis’ private chambers should no longer be used for open court proceedings.
Strict adherence to security protocols must be maintained, and no unauthorized objects or firearms, except those held by designated court officers, should be allowed in court premises.
They also announced the suspension of all judicial services from June 19-24, 2024, with a potential review based on the situation.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome supported the recommendation to ban masks and hoodies in court, suggesting that suspects should be fully visible to deter potential offenders.
“We have permitted suspects to hide their faces with masks, large goggles, and hoodies for too long. We need to reconsider these allowances,” said Koome during the Coast Region Conference on Ending Illicit Brews and Drugs Abuse in Mombasa.
Judges Call for Transparency: No More Masks or Hoodies in Court!
