The Judiciary has issued a statement following a tragic incident that occurred on Tuesday, March 11, where a man set himself on fire outside the Supreme Court building.
The man, who suffered severe burns, was reportedly protesting a long-standing legal battle that had dragged on for years.
In its statement, the Judiciary confirmed that the man was receiving medical treatment and would be questioned by the police to establish the exact reasons behind his actions.
Officials believe his shocking act was fueled by frustration over delays in the justice system.
According to details released by the Judiciary, the man had been carrying a bottle of petrol, which he used to douse himself before igniting the fire.
His actions were reportedly premeditated, as he had also carried some documents, possibly related to his court case.
“At around 9:30 am, an unidentified man was seen walking along City Hall Way before stopping outside the Supreme Court building.
He was carrying a set of documents and a bottle containing a liquid. While standing on the pavement, he placed the documents on the ground, poured the liquid over himself, and pulled out a lighter, setting himself on fire,” the Judiciary explained in its statement.
Security officers stationed at the Supreme Court acted quickly, rushing to his aid and putting out the flames. With the help of the Nairobi County Government, they managed to get him immediate medical attention, and he was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.
The Judiciary further stated that it had taken an interest in the matter and would conduct investigations to determine whether the man’s drastic action was directly linked to a court case.
“The Judiciary is closely monitoring the situation to understand whether his extreme decision was a result of delays in his court proceedings or another legal issue,” the statement read.
This incident comes at a time when the Judiciary is struggling with a massive backlog of cases, which has led to growing frustration among Kenyans.
Many litigants have expressed concerns over the slow pace of hearings, with some cases taking years before they are concluded.
Reports indicate that as of May 2024, the Court of Appeal alone had over 13,000 pending cases. A later report released in November 2024 showed an increase in the backlog across all court levels, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Magistrates’ Courts, and the Small Claims Court.
The total number of unresolved cases rose from 625,643 to 649,310, marking a 1.2 percent increase.
In an attempt to address this challenge, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has been advocating for reforms, including amending the Judicature Act to allow for the appointment of more judges.
The move aims to speed up case hearings and improve the delivery of justice in Kenya.
The heartbreaking incident outside the Supreme Court has once again put the spotlight on the challenges within the Judiciary, raising concerns over the urgency of judicial reforms to prevent similar extreme actions by frustrated litigants.
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