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"Please stop killing us": Deputy CJ calls for end to victimisation of judicial officers

Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu speaks during the funeral service of slain Makadara Law Court Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti in Yatta, Machakos County on June 22, 2024. (Photo: Judiciary)

By Lucy Mumbi | Sunday, June 23, 2024

The Deputy Chief Justice lamented that many judicial officers live in fear of being attacked.

Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has urged Kenyans to refrain from targeting judges and magistrates, as well as other Judicial Service Commission employees, while they perform their duties.

While emphasising the importance of adhering to the rule of law, she noted that there are alternative measures if one is dissatisfied with judicial outcomes, instead of resorting to violence.

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Mwilu was speaking during the funeral service of slain Makadara Law Court Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti, on Saturday in Yatta, Machakos County.

She lamented that many judicial officers live in fear of being attacked and it is primitive for a person to kill another as life is God-given and should be taken away only by Him alone.

“Monica’s life should not have been taken away when she was doing her job. Every single judge and magistrate is in danger from senseless people who do not appreciate the rule of law. Please stop killing us. Life is God-given, and life should be taken away by God alone. If someone is unhappy with what the courts do, they should not kill us instead appeal our decisions. There have been far too many attempts on our lives at our workplaces," she said.

Magistrate Kivuti succumbed to injuries sustained from a shooting incident on June 13, 2024, involving a senior police officer.

Family and friends of the late Monica Kivuti carry her casket during the funeral service of the slain Makadara Law Court Principal Magistrate in Yatta, Machakos County on June 22, 2024. (Photo: Judiciary)

The officer, identified as Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, who was in charge of a police station in Londiani in Kisumu, pulled out a gun and shot the magistrate.

Other officers in court responded immediately, with one of them shooting the offending policeman and killing him.

The Judiciary said the magistrate had "cancelled the bond for the accused person who had jumped bond and had failed to offer satisfactory explanations for jumping bond". Immediately after the decision was pronounced, the officer shot at the magistrate and injured her in the hip.

Court of Appeal Kenya President Justice Daniel Musinga echoed Mwilu's sentiments, urging judiciary officials to continue delivering justice fairly.

He praised Kivuti for her integrity while performing her duties, noting that she should be emulated by other judicial officers.

Political leaders who had attended the funeral also called for enhanced security for judicial officers.

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka criticised the inadequate working conditions, saying judicial officers should be accorded better working places as stipulated in the Constitution.

"The Constitution 2010 was to strengthen the Judiciary independence and specifically funding and therefore working in a tent today for the Judiciary is unacceptable," he said.

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti and Senator Agnes Kavindu advocated for secure and conducive working environments for the Judiciary nationwide.

"Monica died because she was not corrupt. We must ensure we serve with integrity. I urge Parliament to adequately fund the Judiciary to ensure they have conducive working environments," Ndeti said.

"Give Judiciary funds so that they can stop working from tents and Judicial Officers should not be afraid to deliver their duties with freedom because they are serving their country," Senator Kavindu added.

Kivuti is survived by her husband, Lawyer Mutima Kang’ata, three children, Josephine Wanjiru, Michelle Menyi, and Elyanna Wanjiru, and her granddaughter, Melody.