Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has disclosed that Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome has 32 security officers assigned to her, making her one of the most guarded public officers in the country.
The revelation follows CJ Koome’s recent statement announcing that the Ministry of Interior had withdrawn her security detail.
Speaking in Diani on Friday during the launch of the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAP), Murkomen clarified that her security was neither withdrawn nor downgraded.
He said three of Koome’s officers are currently undergoing training following their promotion.
“I know the manual says that she is entitled to six police officers as her bodyguards, but our CJ is one of the most-guarded public officers with 32 security personnel assigned to her,” Murkomen stated.
“Even with three officers proceeding for training, she will remain with 29 at her service.”
Murkomen Says Koome Went “Too Public” Over the Matter
He added that there is no scheme whatsoever to undermine Chief Justice Martha Koome or the Judiciary.
“For the comfort of the country the Chief Justice is among public officers who are properly taken care of in terms of her security,” he said.
At the same time, CS Murkomen said it was unfortunate that the CJ had gone “too public” with the matter.
“We have a lot to see how we are going to work together. Unfortunately, our Chief Justice went too far about this issue. Ordinarily, the Chief Justice should have called the Inspector General to say thank you very much for the promotion,” he said.
“Unfortunately, it has gone the other way. We want to assure the Chief Justice that that was a small matter. It didn’t necessitate raising alarm.”
Also Read: EACC Launches Corruption Probe into Judiciary After Martha Koome Letter
Koome Writes Letter After Security Details Withdrawn
This comes after Koome in a letter addressed to CS Murkomen and IG Douglas Kanja said 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,” the CJ said in the letter.
“State organs are entrusted with the solemn duty of serving the public using resources provided by taxpayers. This obligation demands that no institution or office holder be subjected to intimidation, coercion, or undue interference by another arm of government.”
Further, Koome highlighted that security for her office was not a personal privilege, but a structural necessity that ensures the Judiciary functions autonomously and without fear.
“It (security) serves as an institutional safeguard to protect judicial officers, premises, and processes from any threats that could impair the administration of justice. The withdrawal of this security detail is an egregious affront to the principle of separation of powers,” said Koome.
Also Read: IG Kanja Explains why CJ Koome’s Security was Withdrawn
IG Kanja Explains CJ Koome’s Security Withdrawal
In response, IG Kanja dismissed allegations that security officers assigned to Koome were withdrawn.
Instead, the Kanja clarified that the officers had been recalled to attend promotional courses or transferred procedurally to other stations.
Addressing the concerns, the IG attributed the brief security gap to poor coordination, which led to the outgoing officers leaving before their replacements arrived.
“Some officers assigned to the Chief Justice have been reassigned, while others have been deployed to fill the gap,” IG Kanja explained.
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