The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) has sharply condemned the harassment of a sitting magistrate at Maua Law Courts on October 30, describing the incident as a “new and dangerous low” in relations between the Bar and the Bench.
In a statement issued on Friday, KMJA Secretary General Tom Mark Olando said the scenes witnessed, including chants of “mwizi” (thief) directed at the magistrate and her vehicle being blocked by a group of advocates, amounted to intimidation, not protest.
“This was not a peaceful protest, it was intimidation and incitement,” Olando said, warning that such actions undermine public trust in the judiciary. He accused some advocates of engaging in cyberbullying and misinformation campaigns online, describing the trend as “re-litigation on social media.”
The association said the Maua confrontation reflects a growing pattern of hostility towards judicial officers, marked by threats, ridicule and mob-like behaviour. “Such behaviour is a gross violation of professional conduct and an affront to the dignity of the court,” the statement read.
KMJA criticised the advocates involved for sidestepping formal dispute resolution mechanisms such as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Advocates Complaints Commission. The association urged members of the legal fraternity to return to professionalism and dialogue instead of resorting to public confrontation.
Despite the chaos, KMJA commended members of the public for maintaining calm and not joining the fray. The association reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rule of law and protecting the independence of the judiciary amid what it called a worrying rise in attacks on judicial officers.
