Former Nominated senator Millicent Omanga has condemned the withdrawal of Chief Justice Martha Koome’s security details.
In a statement on Thursday night January 23, 2025, Omanga said that withdrawing the CJ’s security details violates the judiciary’s independence and exposes judicial officers to danger.
“Whatever the issues in contention may be, withdrawing the security detail of CJ @CJMarthaKoome sends a bad signal and infringes on the independence of the judiciary, exposes judicial officers to danger and hampers the delivery of justice. May reason prevail,” Omanga wrote on her X account.
Koome’s security details
On Thursday, January 24, 2025, Justice Koome protested after the Interior Ministry withdrew her security detail and cut down the number of officers in the Judiciary Police Unit.
In a letter seen by K24 digital, CJ Koome wrote to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Police IG Douglas Kanja, expressing profound concern over the development.
Koome in the letter stated that the move translates to Executive interference with the Judiciary contrary to the Constitution’s demands for independence.
According to the CJ, 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.
“State organs are entrusted with the solemn duty of serving the public using resources provided by taxpayers. Central to this framework is the independence of institutions, particularly the Judiciary, which is charged with safeguarding justice, upholding the rule of law, and defending constitutional principles,” part of CJ Koome’s letter reads.
In addition, she highlighted that security for her office was not a personal privilege, but a structural necessity that ensures the Judiciary functions autonomously and without fear.
“Security for the Chief Justice is not a personal privilege but a structural necessity to ensure the Judiciary can function autonomously and without fear.
“The withdrawal of this security detail is an egregious affront to the principle of separation of powers. It destabilizes the delicate balance upon which democratic governance is founded, where each arm of government operates independently,”CJ Koome’s letter reads in part.
However, the Inspector General of Police says the officers were either sent on training after promotion or procedurally transferred to other stations.
According to the IG, other officers have been reassigned to the Chief Justice as those who left prepare to start their promotional courses.
