By Sarah Omondi
Chief Justice Martha Koome has appealed to the National Police Service to ensure the integrity of the judges who are accused of certain offences while arresting them.
During an interview at a local television, the CJ maintained that there was no need for police officers to humiliate judges while arresting them because they carry the mandate of the constitution.
“A judge is not running away. A judge is not a flight risk. You do not have to arrest them in a commando-style with 20 vehicles, drive them to the police station and throw them in the cells just to humiliate them,” said Lady Justice Koome.
The CJ proposed that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) be allowed to probe judges whose integrity is questionable before bringing in the police.
She maintained that just like police officers are not allowed to raid the chamber of a Member of Parliament who is about to go for a debate they should not raid the chamber of a judge who is about to deliver a ruling.
“When you raid the chamber of a judge when they are about to deliver a ruling you are interfering with the independence of that judge,” said the CJ.
