After five of its members got threats as a result of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) verdict, the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) has sought out the Ministry of Interior to provide more security.
Members of the KMJA claimed in a statement dated Tuesday, May 18, that the five judges have been receiving threats since declaring BBI null and invalid in a May 13 judgement.
KMJA said politicians and other stake holders in the BBI debacle must respect the decision of the courts, saying the process should not merit attacks against the judges.
“On 13th Day of May 2021, a five-judge bench of the High Court of Kenya delivered the now famous “BBI Judgment” which has elicited various discussions. That judgment has since been appealed against. We urge everyone to allow the Court of Appeal deal with the appeal. In the event of dissatisfaction, a further appeal be made to the Supreme Court without resorting to any personal attacks. KMJA is therefore alarmed by the daily attacks directed at the individual judges who sat on that bench. Such attacks are an affront to the decisional independence of the Judges and the rule of law,” the letter read.
They stood firm on their quest to defend the constitution, urging the police service to accord them protection.
“We call upon the Inspector General of Police to immediately investigate the said utterances with a view to prosecuting the culprits. The Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government should immediately assure Kenyans that our Judges and Judicial Officers are safe given the sensitive nature of their assignments.
After the High Court deemed the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill 2020 illegal, the Building Bridges Initiative suffered a serious blow.
The judges claimed that when the President suggested constitutional amendments, he overstepped his authority.
In their determination, Judges Jairus Ngaah, George Odunga, Teresia Matheka Joel Ngugi, and Chacha Mwita further ruling went viral as one of key rulings in history, that have derailed an African president’s project.
