Gov’t has withdrawn my security detail - CJ Koome

Chief Justice Martha Koome has accused the government, through the Ministry of Interior, of withdrawing her security detail, a move she describes as an attack on the Judiciary and the office of the Chief Justice.

Koome made the claim in a letter on Thursday addressed to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Police IG Douglas Kanja, expressing profound concern over the development.

According to Koome, the decision is not only an insult to the Judiciary’s independence but also poses a threat to the safety of judicial officers across the country.

“I express profound concern over the withdrawal of security for the Chief Justice—an act that undermines judicial independence, threatens institutional integrity, and endangers democratic progress,” Koome said in the letter seen by Citizen Digital.

“State organs are entrusted with the solemn duty of serving the public using resources provided by taxpayers. This obligation demands that no institution or officeholder be subjected to intimidation, coercion, or undue interference by another arm of government.”

Further, Koome highlighted that security for her office was not a personal privilege, but a structural necessity that ensures the Judiciary functions autonomously and without fear.

“It (security) serves as an institutional safeguard to protect judicial officers, premises, and processes from any threats that could impair the administration of justice. The withdrawal of this security detail is an egregious affront to the principle of separation of powers,” said Koome.

“Judicial independence is the cornerstone of a functional democracy. It ensures that the Judiciary can act impartially, apply the law equitably, and hold other arms of government accountable without succumbing to external influence.”

Additionally, Koome stated that the Interior Ministry has also reduced the number of officers attached to the Judiciary Police Unit, a specialized branch of the National Police Service (NPS) formed in 2021 to provide security and protective services to judicial officers.

“The Judiciary is gravely concerned about the weakening of the Judiciary Police Unit, a critical component of judicial security. Rather than being bolstered to meet growing demands, its capacity has been diminished by the withdrawal of a significant number of officers,” she said.

“This not only exacerbates existing vulnerabilities but also jeopardizes the safety of judicial personnel and spaces across the country, thereby undermining the entire judicial system's operational efficacy.”

Koome also raised alarms over the message the Ministry of Interior’s reported actions have sent to the public.

“This act of withdrawal sends an unmistakably damaging message: that those tasked with defending justice and constitutional liberties are susceptible to interference. Such a signal erodes public confidence in the Judiciary's impartiality, threatening its role as a check against abuse of power and its capacity to uphold the rule of law,” she said.

“The erosion of judicial independence has far-reaching implications for Kenya's democratic growth. When state organs fail to respect the boundaries enshrined in the Constitution. they endanger the entire governance structure This fosters an environment where the rule of law is subverted by fear, coercion and arbitrary actions.”

Subsequently, she called on the National Police Service and all relevant state actors to immediately and unconditionally restore her security detail.

She further urged that the capacity of the Judiciary Police Unit be strengthened to meet the increasing demands for enhanced judicial security, particularly in the context of rising attacks on judges and judicial officers in open court.

“I therefore call upon the National Police Service and all relevant state actors to immediately and unconditionally restore the security detail of the Chief Justice. This step is not merely administrative but essential to reaffirming the Judiciary's independence. safeguarding the integrity of constitutional offices and ensuring the continued growth of Kenya's democracy,” she said.  

“Additionally, the capacity of the Judiciary Police Unit must be strengthened, not diminished, to address the pressing need for enhanced judicial security in a rapidly evolving environment and against the precedent of open attack of judges and judicial officers in open court.”

According to the IG, other officers have been reassigned to the Chief Justice as those who left prepare to start their promotional courses.