Editor's Review

JSC has deployed its team to the ground to conduct further investigations and engage the agencies handling the matter.

The Judicial Service Commission condemned Mumias East MP Peter Salasya for allegedly threatening to kill a judge.

A police report filed by a Kakamega-based magistrate at Kakamega Central Police Station indicates that the MP threatened her.

This is after she ruled against him in a case where he was accused of not paying the Sh500,000 he owed a Kakamega businessman.

"It was reported by Hon Gladys Kiama female adult aged 32 years and a Resident Magistrate at Kakamega Law Courts that today at around 1230hours while at Kakamega Law Courts, having delivered a judgement in a small claim matter vide case no. SSC E541/2023 against Hon. Peter Salasya, MP for Mumias East Constituency where he had been sued for failing to refund the money loaned to him by the claimant," the OB report read.

"He confronted her outside the courtroom and threatened to kill her and then took off."

The report has seen the JSC come out guns blazing against the MP saying the alleged threat amounts to interference with the judiciary's work.

Justice Gladys Kiama. PHOTO | COURTESY

The JSC said the judges must be accorded their independence while handling the cases saying they are only answerable to the law.

"The 2010 Constitution of Kenya entrenched the independence of the Judiciary which is only subject to the constitution and the law; is not subject to the control and direction of any person or authority," JSC stated.

"Therefore any attempt to interfere with the independence of the Judiciary including the decisional independence of any judge or judicial officer is an affront to the constitution of Kenya."

The JSC further stated that they have taken over the matter in a bid to establish what really happened for necessary action within its powers.

"The Commission has deployed its team to the ground to conduct further investigations and engage the agencies handling the matter with the view of taking appropriate action in line with its mandate," JSC added.

The commission assured judges, Judicial officers, and staff of its continued commitment to protect and safeguard the independence of the Judiciary.