A weak and not so independent Judiciary is a recipe for disaster and Kenyans know this too well.
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In conclusion, disobedience of court orders, disregard of the rule of law and criminalization of judicial function should be frowned upon by all.
BY SAM ALFAN.
Kenya Judges and Magistrate association has condemn mistreatment, harassment and abuse of Constitutional rights of embattled Mombasa Principal Magistrate Kagoni Matsigulu.
Through the association Secretary General Derrick Kutto, they say attempted prosecution of their learned colleague is a brazen attack on the decisional independence of the judiciary and judicial officers by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“This amounts to criminalisation of judicial work. We find this to amount to intimidation of members of the bench by the DPP and the police”, said Kutto.
He added DPP move is meant to distract it members from the hardwork and dedication that they put in each passing day in their quest to do justice to “Wanjiku” and further uphold the rule of law.
The association further added that Kenya is governed by the rule of Law and urged all entities to respect the law and be guided by the Constitution.
“Shoving our brother from one police station to another as if he is a hardcore criminal is unfortunate. We hasten to add that these unfortunate attacks attributed to the aforementioned offices are not new”, added SG Kutto.
KMJA reiterated that they will continue protecting the independence of its members to make sure that the judiciary continues delivering its mandate which is integral to our democratic governmental system. It is the right of all Kenyans to have a judiciary that is not cowed from settling disputes independently and in accordance with the rule of law.
The association said there is a bad narrative to paint Judges and Magistrates in bad light. They urged Law Society of Kenya, other organizations and Kenyans of good to support the independence of the Judiciary.
yesterday high court ordered immediate release of the Principal Magistrate Kagoni Edgar Matsigulu pending hearing and determination of the case.
The judge also released the magistrate on a bond of 100,000 or a cash bail of 20,000. The amount should be deposited with court registrar.
Mombasa high Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi also ordered Edgar not to be charged with any criminal charges.
