The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has deployed officers to investigate Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya for threatening and harassing a magistrate.
In a statement on Wednesday, November 29, JSC condemned Salasya for his actions noting that they were against the law as detailed in the constitution.
The MP was accused of threatening the life of Kakamega magistrate Gladys Kiama over a ruling that ordered Salasya to pay Ksh500,000 to a businessman.
Further JSC stated that it would take appropriate action against the MP after the investigations into the matter are concluded.
“The Commission condemns such acts in the strongest terms possible. The Commission has deployed its team to the ground to conduct further investigations and engage the agencies handling the matter with a view of taking appropriate action in line with its mandate.
“JSC wishes to reiterate that decisional independence of a Judge or Judicial Officer must be safeguarded at all times,” the statement read in part.
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Judiciary on Salasya Breaking the Law
At the same time, the statement detailed that the Mp took an oath to uphold the constitution of Kenya and was going against his promise by interfering with the independence of the judiciary.
“Therefore, any attempt to interfere with the independence of the Judiciary, including the decisional independence of any Judge or Judicial Officer is an affront to the Constitution of Kenya,
“Which all state officers, such as Members of Parliament took an oath to protect and defend,” added the statement.
However, the commission stated that if anyone had a concern over judgement that had been made by a member of the judiciary, they ought to submit their concerns through appealing.
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“Decisional independence of a Judge or Judicial Officer must be safeguarded at all times, and when litigants are aggrieved by the decision of the court, they may seek redress through the appellate process.
“The Commission wishes to reassure all Judges, Judicial Officers and Staff, of its continued commitment to protect and safeguard the independence of the Judiciary,” noted the Judiciary.
MP Confronts and Threatens Magistrate
According to police records, the magistrate reported that after issuing the judgement, the MP confronted her outside the courtroom and threatened to kill her.
“It was reported by Hon Gladys Kiama female adult aged 32 years and a Resident Magistrate at Kakamega Law Courts that today at around 1230hours while at Kakamega Law Courts,
“Having delivered a judgement in a small claim matter vide case no. SSC E541/2023 against Hon. Peter Salasya, MP for Mumias East Constituency where he had been sued for failing to refund the money loaned to him by the claimant,” the police report read in part.
However, Salasya denied the allegations stating that when the incident occurred, he was nowhere near the courtroom. He also denied issuing any threat to the magistrate.
“I didn’t threaten a magistrate, I am busy developing my constituency. Iam ready to pay that money on Monday. I am a law-abiding Citizen to issue such threats,” said Salasya.
