The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) has called off the planned protest which was organized following the death of Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti.
In a statement dated Tuesday, June 18, the Association’s National Council reconsidered its decision to take to the streets after a discussion with the Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome.
“The National Council met today and reconsidered its position as communicated on 16 June 2024 and resolved that in light of the assurances and commitments given by the judiciary leadership and concerned organs of state the resolution on complete work stoppage from 19 June 2024 to 21 June 2024 be recalled,” read the statement in part.
KMJA said the judiciary family is still in mourning and hurting, and the decision will give room for the ongoing arrangements for the burial of magistrate Kivuti with burial scheduled for June 22, 2024.
Besides, the Association said its membership is eager to participate fully in the arrangements and called on the membership to adhere to the directions issued by the CJ Koome on 17 June 2024.
CJ Koome’s Directives
Additionally, KMJA explained that CJ Koome intervened and issued a communique in which she assured the membership of the Association about high level engagements with the leadership of concerned organs of government on the concerns on security and general working conditions in the workspace.
Further to the communique, the Koome engaged with the President of the Association and indicated that the engagements with the concerned organs of government would continue and that a re-evaluation of the outcome of the engagements would be done after a week or so.
“Similarly, other stakeholders in the administration of justice and more so the leadership of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) made representations to the leadership of the Association to reconsider its stance as communicated through the press statement of 16 June 2024,” added the statement.
KMJA stated that the executive and national council will continue to engage with the CJ to ensure that reasonable working conditions are assured of all judges, judicial officers and staff.
Also Read: Monica Kivuti Profile: From Directline Insurance to Judiciary
Judges Announces Strike Over Death of Monica Kivuti
Speaking on June 16, the Association warned of the disruption of all judicial services from June 19 to June 21 following the death of Magistrate Kivuti.
“The national council, the Kenya Association of Judges and Magistrates, and the leadership of the Kenya Judicial Staff Association met and made the following resolutions: the members of both associations will stop providing services from June 19 and June 21, 2024,” said the Judges.
Also Read: LSK Declares Stance After Judges Suspend Services Protesting Magistrate Kivuti Killing
The judges warned that they will stop providing services to demand the government to ensure their safety in the court rooms.
Kivuti was shot by Londiani OCS Samson Kipruto during a live court proceeding on June 16, 2024.
She succumbed to gunshot injuries on June 15, while undergoing treatment at the Nairobi Hospital with CJ Koome announcing her death.
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