After Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti was shot in Makadara Law Courts, Chief Justice Martha Koome has mandated security measures to be put in place in all courts.
Koome stated in a news release on Sunday that stringent search protocols will be followed by the judiciary police in coordination with the police inspector general to make sure that no one enters the court with a weapon.
This exempts court officers on duty from providing protection on court premises.
She declared that all judicial employees and officers would now be required to wear their name badges prominently whenever they are on court property.
“Court officers like advocates, police officers and the public shall be required to provide identification documents to facilitate access in courts,” she stated.
Koome added that only cars possessing serialized Judiciary car stickers will be allowed entry to the court parking area.
“Each station shall issue temporary passes to facilitate access by designated visitors,” she stated.
She added that cars entering the court premises would have to go through an obligatory search process.
According to the CJ, every station needs to implement steps to guarantee that entry to judges’ and magistrates’ chambers is restricted.
“The Office of the Chief Registrar shall be immediately notified if any additional support is required to implement this restriction directive,” she stated.
Customer service desks will be strengthened with the deployment of personnel and sufficient ICT resources.
She clarified that by doing this, the customer service desks will be used to their full potential and the level of quality will rise.
“Each station in consultation with the Court Users Committee, shall submit any requests for facilitation of any security infrastructure that is required to address any identified gaps,” she stated.
“Stations with makeshift structures and tents should liaise with the Office of the Chief Registrar on modalities of implementing the directives issued by the Chief Justice and the Judiciary Service Commission.”
Koome added that in order to establish thorough, long-term security measures, the Judiciary leadership team, the HR directorate, the building, infrastructure, and development committee, and the Judiciary security management committee will collaborate with other agencies.
“This will ensure the safety and well-being of all Judges, Judicial Officers, staff and court users,” she stated.
According to Koome, these recommendations will take effect on June 24.
On June 13, at the Makadara Law Courts, Magistrate Kivuti was shot following her decision in a case involving the wife of a police officer.
After the shooting on June 14, Monica succumbed from the gunshot injuries.
