Judiciary staff raise alarm after murder of colleague
By George.Kebaso, May 9, 2023Magistrates and judges have expressed concern over their safety following the fatal shooting of a court official in Migori on Friday.
They said yesterday that despite bringing the matter to the attention of relevant agencies, they had not given it due consideration.
Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) called on the authorities to enhance the security of its members.
Chief Justice Martha Koome said in a statement that the police were investigating the shooting of Phoebe Auma, a clerk at the Migori Law Courts.
“The matter is being investigated by local police and we will provide further details to the Judiciary family and wider public once the details of the investigation are made available,” she said.
At a press conference yesterday, KMJA President Derrick Kuto said the lives of many judiciary officials and their families were in danger.
“The incident is just the tip of the iceberg. As an Association, we have been hit severely by such incidences which have led to loss of lives to officers, their friends and close family members,” he said.
Saying the work that Judicial officers do has constantly exposed them to risks, Kuto said many of them have had to resign for fear for their lives.
Detectives continue piecing together what could have led to Auma’s death. Reports indicate that so far the police believe she was targeted probably because of her work.
The gunman was wearing a facemask at the time of the attack.
Witnesses saaid the gunman accosted Auma and her rider when they slowed down from Gogo village to join the Kisii-Migori highway.
The gunman was riding a motorbike with a concealed number plate at the time of the incident.
Auma was shot twice in the neck and head, while the rider identified as Godfrey Misiko was shot in the head.
They died on the spot.