LSK protests withdrawal of CJ Koome's security

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has protested the withdrawal of police security for Chief Justice Martha Koome, terming the move as an insult to the Judiciary.

On Thursday night, CJ Koome accused the government of withdrawing her security detail without notice. In response, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja defended the move saying that they recalled the officers for training. 

LSK President Faith Odhiambo, in a statement issued on Friday, said the CJ's office must be protected at all times and should not be affected by training programs by the National Police Service (NPS) as claimed by the IG. 

She added that any operation that may affect the CJ's security must be communicated in due time to avoid any inconveniences.

"We remind the Inspector General that the primary function of the police is to provide security, not to attend trainings at the expense of effective performance of duties," she noted.

"Any operations or administrative processes that may affect the security of the Chief Justice must be premeditated, well-structured and communicated to ensure the smooth transition where any is required." 

Odhiambo raised concerns over the recent 'cluelessness' by the NPS on crucial matters affecting human rights such as abductions; questioning the competency of the police to protect the citizens.

"Nevertheless, the perceivable trend of the police resorting to the sporadic withdrawal of security of judges to intimate them in the determination of matters is a matter of public record which the IG cannot disown," she pointed out. 

"This, coupled with the weakening of the Judiciary Police Unit complained of by the Chief Justice, is an affront to the administration of justice and rule of law as we know it." 

LSK called on the police to address all issues relating to the security of the Judiciary forthwith.