Following the shocking shooting of Justice Monica Kivuti during a live court session at the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi, the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) and Kenya Judiciary Staff Association (KJSA), in a joint statement, have raised concerns about the safety of judicial officers in their line of duty.
Among the proposals listed towards ensuring safety in courts following the last Thursday incident, the jurists want no one allowed in court premises with a concealed face, unless on proven ascertainable medical or security grounds.
Further, going forward, they say they will not conduct any judicial proceedings in the open air, whether under a tent, container, any makeshift structure, or otherwise. “They added that no proceedings shall be conducted only if there is the provision of armed officers in court,” they say.
In addition, members of the associations shall only conduct judicial proceedings from professionally approved buildings, and they demand strict adherence to security check protocols. “No object unrelated to the business of the court or firearm other than that held by a designated officer of the court as shall be authorized by the officer in charge of security of the court shall be allowed into the court or court station by any court user,” the associations have said.
KMJA and KJSA have also announced a go-slow from June 19–24, 2024, to protest ‘poor work conditions.’
Related: Shot Makadara Principal Magistrate succumbs to injuries.
