The Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has addressed concerns regarding the withdrawal of Chief Justice Martha Koome‘s security.
Kanja in a statement on January 23, 2025, also addressed the recent recall of police officers from the Judiciary Police Unit after CJ Martha Koome accused the government, through the Ministry of Interior, of withdrawing her security detail
The IG dismissed claims that officers assigned to CJ Koome have been withdrawn and instead stated that the officers have been recalled to attend promotional courses or procedurally transferred to other stations.
According to Kanja, poor coordination caused the officers assigned to the Chief Justice to leave before the new ones arrived, causing the deployment gap.
He further said that other officers have been reassigned to the Chief Justice.
IG Kanja’s statement comes after Koome in a letter addressed to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and the Police boss described the move by the National Police Service as an attack on the Judiciary and the office of the Chief Justice.
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Koome sends letter to IG Kanja and Murkomen over the withdrawal of her security
Koome expressed profound concern over the development, adding that 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.”
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Further, Koome further highlighted that security for her office was not a personal privilege, but a structural necessity that ensures the Judiciary functions autonomously and without fear.
At the same time, the CJ stated that the Interior Ministry has also reduced the number of officers attached to the Judiciary Police Unit, a specialized branch of the NPS formed in 2021 to provide security and protective services to judicial officers.
Resignation calls
The new development comes at a time the head of the Judiciary has faced significant pressure for months over allegations of misconduct and misbehavior.
However, CJ Koome while declaring her position regarding the calls for her and the entire Supreme Court of Kenya bench to be removed from office stated that she would not step down.
Speaking on Monday, January 14, during a luncheon to welcome the new Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO, Abdi Muhamud, Koome firmly stated that she would not give in to the pressure, asserting that her tenure is protected by the Constitution.
“You asked me whether I will resign, I would also ask you why would I resign? I have a tenure. I was appointed to serve for tenure, and you have not given me reasons why you would want me to resign. So, I think that is where I would leave the question unfortunately, I think we haven’t received the petition it’s probably being processed there we were there on the 7th and I didn’t see it,” she said.
The CJ further vowed to continue with the cleanup of the Judiciary with the help of EACC.
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