The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has raised concerns over the unwarranted personal attacks directed at Magistrates and Judges, clarifying that such conduct undermines judicial independence and corrodes public trust in the administration of justice.

In a statement on Thursday July 17, 2025, JSC Secretary Winfridah Mokaya noted that  the commission expressed concern over reactions to recent decisions made by the Nanyuki and Kahawa Law Courts.

In Nanyuki, some 111 people arrested over the July 7 Saba Saba protests in Laikipia County were released on a Ksh.50,000 cash bail each, after being charged with malicious damage to property. 

Elsewhere in Kahawa, 37 youth who were last week and charged with terrorism-related offences over the June 25 and July 7 protests were on Wednesday released on a cash bail of Ksh.50,000 or an alternative bond of Ksh.200,000 each.

Critics, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, have raised concerns on the issue of pressing terrorism charges against protesters, terming it a way to suppress dissent.

Some citizens on social media have criticized the Judges, Magistrates and Prosecutors behind the charges, terming the ruling as “nonsensical”.

In a statement, JSC warned that such attacks undermine judicial independence and erode public trust in the administration of justice.

“These decisions are guided by the Constitution, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Judiciary’s bail and bond policy guidelines,” Mokaya said.

According to the JSC, judicial officers do not act arbitrarily.

JSC maintained that dissatisfied parties have the right to appeal or seek reviews through legal channels instead of resorting to personal attacks.

“The commission reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending the decisional independence of all judicial officers and judges,” read part of JSC statement.