Security for judges to be boosted
What you need to know:
- Mutunga says move is vital as decisions judicial officers will make in petitions after 2012 elections could pose threats to their safety
The Judiciary will push for enhancement of security for the country’s judges, the Chief Justice has pledged.
Dr Willy Mutunga said the move is necessary in view of next year’s General Election, where many petitions were likely to be filed over dissatisfaction with the voting or the results.
The CJ said judges were bound to make decisions that would pose a threat to their security.
“In the next few weeks, therefore, we will immediately review and strengthen our security systems,” he said.
He joked: “Maybe, instead of robes, we will think of bullet-proof vests.”
Crucial responsibilities
Dr Mutunga said that the Judiciary was expecting many cases to be filed, challenging nominations and election outcomes. He, therefore, urged judges to brace themselves for the task ahead.
Dr Mutunga spoke in Mombasa where he opened the Judges’ Annual Colloquium. He said that unlike the previous Constitution, the new laws have bestowed on judges crucial responsibilities that will expose them to threats and intimidation.
“The Constitution has bestowed upon us a rare responsibility to partake in the political, economic and social transformation of our country. This is neither a light responsibility nor bereft of challenges,” he said.
Judges have, in the past, disqualified themselves from certain cases, especially election petitions, citing threats on their lives.
A typical example is the case of Justice Kalpana Rawal who disqualified herself from the Kamukunji election petition last year.
Dr Mutunga, however, insisted that the Judiciary would not bow down or be taken hostage by politicians.
He said lack of political goodwill to implement judicial reforms, weak governance, judicial subservience and political interference have, in the past, acted as obstacles for judges in carrying out their work.
“We must, therefore, confront these challenges head-on,” he said.
He stressed the need to change the perception that the judicial system is corrupt, saying that the institution was designed to dispense justice to both the wealthy and the poor.
“The Judiciary must now be guided by the constitutional principle of responsive, prompt, effective, impartial and equitable provision of services especially to the ordinary citizens. We are servants of the people,” he said.
