NAIROBI, Kenya — The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is pushing back—hard—against growing public outrage targeting magistrates and judges for recent bail and bond decisions related to the Saba Saba protests.
In a strongly worded statement issued Thursday, JSC Secretary Winfridah Mokaya called out what she described as an “escalating trend” of personal attacks and public vilification against judicial officers. The tipping point? Court rulings that granted bail to protestors charged with serious offenses.
This week, 111 individuals arrested during the July 7 demonstrations in Laikipia County walked free on Ksh.50,000 cash bail each, following charges of malicious property damage.
Some of those arrested were reportedly picked up even before the protests began.
Over in Kahawa Law Courts, another group of 37 youth—facing terrorism-related charges tied to the June 25 and July 7 protests—were also released on bail. The court set the cash bail at Ksh.50,000, or an alternative bond of Ksh.200,000.
Those rulings ignited a firestorm online.
Critics, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, condemned the use of terrorism charges as a tool to stifle dissent.
On social media, the backlash escalated into dangerous territory, with calls to leak the personal information and contact details of the judges and prosecutors involved.
But Mokaya warned that this isn’t just an emotional reaction—it’s a direct threat to judicial independence and public confidence in the courts.
“These decisions are guided by the Constitution, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Judiciary’s bail and bond policy guidelines,” she stated, reminding Kenyans that judges don’t just make it up as they go.
The JSC stressed that if anyone disagrees with a ruling, there’s a process for that: appeals and legal reviews. What’s not acceptable? Online attacks and intimidation campaigns.
To address safety concerns, the Judiciary has activated security measures for its officers, coordinated through the Judiciary Police Unit.
“The Commission reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending the decisional independence of all judicial officers and judges,” Mokaya added, signaling that the judiciary isn’t backing down.
With the public mood heating up and the Saba Saba protests continuing to ripple across the country, Kenya’s justice system is clearly under pressure—but it’s not folding.
