Fear grips judiciary staff after shooting death of court clerk

The Judges and magistrates association on Sunday, May 7 afternoon raised concerns on the security of judiciary officials following the fatal shooting of one of them in Migori County.

Addressing the media at a Nairobi hotel, the association chair Eric Kuto - who is also a Kibra court chief magistrate - said the shooting of Phoebe Auma and rider who was carrying her is a red flag to judicial officers' safety in the country.

Kuto says the work that they do as judicial officers exposes them to a lot of risks.

He said the incident is a tip of the iceberg, adding that judiciary as an institution has been hit severely by such incidents that have led to loss of lives of officers, their friends and relatives. Some, Kuto says, have even resigned for fear of their lives

Kuto said the issues have been brought to the fore many times and the association has addressed the matters with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Inspector General of Police, the Judicial Service Commission as well as the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

He said the association will seek audience with President William Ruto on the same.

Until her demise, Auma was a senior clerk at the Migori Law Courts. She was killed by an unknown gunman while heading to work on May 5, 2023.

On the fateful day, she was accosted by the assailant while riding on a motorbike to work.