KMJA accuses EACC of intimidation in Magistrate Atambo’s case

In its bid to be enjoined in the case against Thika Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo, the association cited constitutional violations in the investigation process.

This development comes just hours after the High Court halted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from prosecuting Atambo, escalating tensions into a full-blown standoff between the judiciary and the anti-graft agency.

Four days after the EACC raided the home of Chief Magistrate Atambo, the KMJA has strongly condemned the anti-corruption watchdog, alleging an attempt to intimidate judicial officers.

In its application to be enjoined as an interested party in the case against Atambo, the association listed what it described as efforts to instill fear among judicial officers.

This included secretive investigation methods, such as referring to the magistrate using initials instead of her full name. The KMJA argued that these investigative tactics had led to public ridicule and cyberbullying of judicial officers, citing a pattern of concealing their identities during investigations.

Furthermore, the application contended that the EACC’s actions are part of a broader assault on judicial independence, orchestrated by forces uncomfortable with a fully functional judiciary.

The association warned that such actions could create fear among judicial officers, potentially influencing them to avoid making independent rulings due to fear of retaliation.

This development comes just hours after the High Court in Nairobi barred the DPP from arresting and prosecuting Chief Magistrate Atambo. In his ruling, Justice Chacha Mwita noted concerns over the identity of the individual sued, who had been identified as Bonareri N.

The court directed that the order remain in force until June 10.

The EACC had raided Magistrate Atambo’s home last Thursday, where they reportedly recovered KSh 2 million inside a laptop bag.

In a statement, the commission stated that it suspected the cash to be proceeds of corruption, following numerous complaints of bribery against the magistrate.