The Chief Magistrate in Busia, Edna Nyaloti, has raised serious concerns over the growing influence of brokers allegedly infiltrating the local court system, warning that the integrity of justice is at stake.
In a letter addressed to the Chair of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Busia Branch, Nyaloti detailed instances where individuals are said to be commercializing court processes, including surety and case withdrawals. The magistrate named two individuals, Dismas Osigwary and Maureen Ogola, whose activities were discussed by the Court Users Committee (CUC).
The committee reportedly resolved that Osigwary should no longer be allowed to stand surety after allegations emerged that he was turning the bond process into a business, allegedly in collaboration with certain law firms.
The letter also cited the case of Michael Noah Wandera, who was allegedly working with a law firm and arrested for soliciting Ksh. 10,000 from a client, Ann Maria Ajala, in exchange for facilitating the withdrawal of a case before Court No. 5. During investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), a court seal was recovered from a law firm in Busia.
Of further concern, Nyaloti notes that Maureen Ogola has allegedly threatened Judiciary staff with death. The magistrate urged the LSK to urgently convene a meeting with its members to address the matter, describing the malpractice as undermining justice delivery.
The letter, also copied to senior judicial officers including the Presiding Judge in Busia, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, and the LSK national leadership, highlights ongoing integrity and disciplinary cases involving staff at the Busia Law Courts.
Written By Rodney Mbua
