Leaders from across the political and legal divide on Saturday condemned the killing of Makadara Principal Magistrate, Monica Kivuti and demanded reforms to protect judicial officers.
Speaking in Yatta constituency during an emotional send-off of the late magistrate, Wiper party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti and deputy chief justice, Philomena Mwilu termed the magistrate’s killing as a wake-up call on the need to enhance the safety of judicial staff in the country.
“A hard-working principal magistrate was shot while working under a tent while we all know under the constitution the intention was to strengthen the judicial arm of the government with well-constructed facilities and proper funding. We wonder why,” said Kalonzo.
The Wiper party leader pointed out that the Kenyan judiciary needed proper facilitation to get the job done and not tokenism.
Governor Wavinya eulogized the late Monica Kivuti as a devoted judicial officer who paid the ultimate price for being forthright in her job.
“Monica died for not being corrupt. She stood her ground to defend justice. I urge the judiciary to take heart and not be dampened by what has befallen one of them,” said the Machakos governor.
She pointed that there was rampant impunity in various sectors orchestrated by sheer disregard of the rule of law.
Wavinya said mental health fitness of various staff in civil service need to be constantly monitored in order to tame increasing cases of crimes of passion.
“Mental health issues need to be looked into. That is why we have many incidents of senseless killings of innocent people by the police and this must stop,” said Wavinya.
Justice Philomena Mwilu lamented that many judges and magistrates are working in fear of being attacked and killed at their work place.
“Judges and magistrates are in danger of getting killed by senseless people. There have been far too many attempts on our lives at our work places. Please stop killing us,” said the DCJ.
