Judges appeal to CJ Maraga to beef up security

A past photo of Justice Mary Ang'awa. She has said that at some point in her career, she was threatened when handling an election petition case. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The judges pointed out that they were at a greater risk of facing intimidation and threats unlike their male counterparts.

Women judges have called for adequate security when handling election-related cases as the country prepares for polls.

During a discussion on emerging gender issues in electoral processes, the judges pointed out that they were at a greater risk of facing intimidation and threats unlike their male counterparts.

THREATS

Retired judge Mary Ang’awa recounted her ordeal in which she was threatened by one of the parties in an election petition she was handling while she was still serving in the High Court.

“At the time I was threatened, I had my police driver and I was in court. Be alive to the fact that you too can face such, I do not know what happens in your countries but this is a sensitive issue concerning what measures should be put in place to protect judicial officers,” she said during the ongoing International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) Africa region conference on Friday.

INCREASE SECURITY
Lady Justice Jean Charles from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago said she had faced threats twice since she started serving at the High Court in her country.

She said she was threatened while handling a case on drugs relating to the Columbian cartels and also when handling a high-profile murder.

Senior Resident Magistrate Lilian Arika, who is part of the Judiciary’s Committee on Elections, said the team has already requested Chief Justice David Maraga to help beef up security during poll cases.