Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi has criticized Chief Justice Martha Koome for her recent assertion that police officers assigned to her had been withdrawn.
In a letter to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Koome stated that the act represented an attempt by the National Police Service to undermine judicial independence, threaten institutional integrity, and jeopardize democratic progress. She further said that the removal of her security detail constituted a serious affront to the principle of separation of powers.
“Such an action not only weakens public trust in state institutions but also sets a perilous precedent, suggesting that key constitutional offices can be undermined through external pressure or retaliation,” the Chief Justice remarked.
However, Havi is accusing the Chief Justice of being untruthful regarding the matter. According to him, she has a substantial number of personnel available for her protection.
“Chief Justice Martha Koome is allocated 32 known police officers to guard her, a huge number by all means,” he stated in a post on his X page.
Havi asserts that the National Police Service’s explanation for the recall of some officers was adequate, reiterating that this is a routine procedure that the Chief Justice is fully aware of. He argued that the matter could have been addressed more appropriately by Koome, given that the recalled officers were replaced and that she still has numerous officers assigned to her.
“The temporary recall of three (officers) for training and promotion cannot be withdrawal of her security. She must be called out for the dishonesty displayed on this sensitive issue,” he stated.
In her protest letter, Koome maintained that security for the Chief Justice is not a personal privilege but a structural necessity to ensure that the Judiciary can function autonomously and without fear.
