The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has written a statement to the Cabinet Secretary (CS) of Interior Professor Kithure Kindiki following the withdrawal of Justice Lawrence Mugambi security.
The Council noted that Justice Mugambi’s security was withdrawn shortly after he delivered an unfavorable ruling against the Acting Inspector General (IG), Gilbert Masengeli on September 13, 2024.
“The NCCK is deeply concerned by the reports that the security for Justice Lawrence Mugambi, judge of the High Court of Kenya, has been withdrawn shortly after he delivered a ruling in which the Acting Inspector General was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. This action is direct intimidation of a Judicial officer, and whose effect is undermining the rule of law upon which the Constitution of Kenya 2010 is premised,” part of the statement read.
The Council further argued that Masengeli’s sentence was due to the failure of the National Police Service to comply with a court order that required three persons who disappeared within Kitengela to be physically presented in court and the judge was in the right capacity to do deliver such a ruling.
NCCK Condemn Acting IG’s Actions
The members also condemned the actions of state officers who have deliberately disregarded the rule of law without any repercussions.
“We find this to be the latest in a series of cases where state officials have deliberately disobeyed court orders without any consequences. This is the bedrock on which impunity is birthed and nurtured, to the detriment of the welfare of the nation,” the statement read in part.
Also read: Koome Speaks After Withdrawal of Lawrence Mugambi’s Security
NCCK’s Demands to Kindiki
Following such actions, the NCCK called on the Interior CS Prof Kindiki to expedite the following issues concerning the Inspector General:
a) The National Police Service, as an institution and as pertains to individual officers, must comply with rulings made by the Judiciary, respecting it as an independent constitutional organ established to protect justice and the rule of law
b) The provision of security services of Justice Mugambi be reinstated immediately
Also read: Masengeli Surfaces After Being Sentenced
The council members further reminded state officers to be wary of their actions because a disregard for the rule of law encourages citizens to tolerate anarchy.
The letter was signed by the NCCK Chairman Elias Agola and General Secretary Chris Kinyanjui and copied to Chief Justice Martha Koome.
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