NAIROBI, Kenya – The High Court has extended orders barring the arrest and prosecution of Thika Chief Magistrate Stellah Atambo, pending the determination of her constitutional petition challenging what she terms as a politically motivated criminal case.
Justice Chacha Mwita issued the extension during a session at the Milimani Law Courts, where the matter came up for hearing.
The judge also granted an application by the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) to join the case as an interested party.
KMJA argued that the petition raises serious constitutional and institutional concerns, including the independence of the Judiciary and the personal safety of judicial officers.
Atambo has sued the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), claiming the criminal proceedings against her are unlawful and aimed at intimidating her.
Justice Mwita directed Atambo to respond to an application filed by the EACC within 14 days.
Afterward, all respondents and interested parties have 14 days each to file submissions, limited to five pages. The petitioner will then have another 14 days to file a rejoinder.
The court scheduled the matter for the highlighting of submissions on October 7, 2025.
Until then, the interim orders remain in effect, shielding Magistrate Atambo from any arrest or prosecution by state agencies.
