JSC condemns attack on judges over bail, bond decisions

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has condemned what it describes as an “escalating trend” of public vilification and personal attacks against judges, particularly over bail and bond rulings.

In a Thursday statement by its secretary, Winfridah Mokaya, the commission expressed “grave concern” over reactions to recent decisions made by the Nanyuki and Kahawa Law Courts.

In Nanyuki, some 111 people arrested over the July 7 Saba Saba protests in Laikipia County were released on a Ksh.50,000 cash bail each, after being charged with malicious damage to property.

Some were reportedly arrested on the eve of the demos.

In Kahawa, meanwhile, 37 youth who were last week charged with terrorism-related offences over the June 25 and July 7 protests were on Wednesday released on a cash bail of Ksh.50,000 or an alternative bond of Ksh.200,000 each.

Critics, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, have taken issue with the pressing of terrorism charges against protesters, terming it a way to suppress dissent.

On social media, some users have called for the publicization of the personal information and contact details of the magistrates, judges, and prosecutors behind the charges they call “trumped-up” and “nonsensical”.

But Mokaya has warned that such attacks undermine judicial independence and erode public trust in the administration of justice.

“These decisions are guided by the Constitution, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Judiciary’s bail and bond policy guidelines,” Mokaya said, adding that judicial officers do not act arbitrarily.

JSC held that dissatisfied parties have the right to appeal or seek reviews through legal channels instead of resorting to personal attacks.

Mokaya said necessary security arrangements are in place for judicial officers through the Judiciary Police Unit.

“The commission reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending the decisional independence of all judicial officers and judges,” she added.