Chief Justice Martha Koome has extended the closure of Makadara Law Courts until June 24 for reorganization following a shooting incident that resulted in the death of Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti.
Initially, the court was to remain closed until June 17 to enhance security measures. However, after Kivuti succumbed to her injuries on Friday night, Koome decided to extend the closure period.
“Makadara Law Courts will remain closed until Monday, June 24, 2024, to allow the dismantling of the makeshift court structures and to allow reorganisation for security reasons,” she said.
The resolution came after the CJ chaired a the Judiciary Leadership Team (JLT) to deliberate on the matter of Kivuti’s murder.
“The Judiciary administration will also work day and night to complete the prefabs at Makadara Law Courts,” she said.
CJ Koome said all affected matters listed before Makadara Law Courts next week will be mentioned before Milimani Law Courts.
She further said the Judiciary administrative units will work on boosting security across all court stations with the available resources.
“In the meantime, the Judiciary leadership will engage the Executive and Parliament on additional resources to support the implementation of past recommendations touching on securing the Judiciary – a matter that has been discussed repeatedly with the concerned agencies for many years.”
Chief Justice Koome urged the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, as well as the office of the Inspector General of Police, to deploy extra officers to augment the Judiciary Police Unit’s personnel.
Additionally, she advocated for the restructuring of the Judiciary Police Unit into a fully operational Police Unit, led by a senior commanding officer and supported by a fully functional Secretariat.
Koome assured judges, judicial officers, and staff that the Judiciary Leadership Team is cognizant of the security challenges they encounter in dispensing justice and is actively implementing measures to address these concerns.
