
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has responded to rising concerns about the recent recall of police officers from the Judiciary Police Unit.
He clarified that the officers were either sent for training following their promotions or were transferred to other stations as part of standard procedures.
Kanja noted that new officers have been reassigned to support Chief Justice Martha Koome, who had previously raised alarms about the withdrawal of her security detail. He explained that a lack of coordination led to the gap in deployment, as the officers assigned to the Chief Justice left before replacements arrived.
Chief Justice Koome, in her earlier statements, emphasized that such actions could undermine the principle of separation of powers. She asserted, “Judicial independence is the cornerstone of a functional democracy. It ensures that the Judiciary can act impartially, apply the law equitably, and hold other arms of government accountable without succumbing to external influence.”
Koome also highlighted concerns regarding the Interior Ministry’s reduction of personnel assigned to the Judiciary Police Unit, which was established in 2021 to ensure the safety of judicial officers. She expressed alarm over the diminishing capacity of this specialized unit, stating, “The Judiciary is gravely concerned about the weakening of the Judiciary Police Unit. Rather than being bolstered to meet growing demands, its capacity has been diminished by the withdrawal of a significant number of officers.”
The Chief Justice warned that these developments not only heighten existing vulnerabilities but also threaten the safety of judicial personnel and facilities nationwide, potentially undermining the operational effectiveness of the judicial system as a whole.