The promise of justice in Busia is under scrutiny following revelations by Chief Magistrate Edna Nyaloti that brokers are steadily infiltrating the corridors of justice. In a strongly worded letter to the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Busia Branch, Nyaloti raised the alarm over individuals who are allegedly commercializing judicial processes, warning that such practices threaten the very foundation of public trust in the legal system.
According to her letter, some brokers have turned surety into a money-making venture, while others are accused of soliciting bribes to influence case outcomes. Two individuals, Dismas Osigwary and Maureen Ogola, were flagged during discussions by the Court Users Committee (CUC). The committee resolved that Osigwary should no longer be permitted to stand surety after being linked to a racket allegedly run in collusion with certain law firms.
In another disturbing case, one Michael Noah Wandera was arrested on suspicion of working with a law firm to solicit Ksh.10,000 from a complainant, promising to “facilitate” the withdrawal of a case before Court No. 5. Investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) further uncovered a court seal inside a law firm in Busia, raising deeper concerns about collusion between rogue lawyers and fraudulent intermediaries.
Even more troubling are allegations that Maureen Ogola has threatened judicial staff with death, a move that has left court employees shaken. Magistrate Nyaloti has called on the LSK to urgently convene a meeting with its members to address these malpractices, stressing that the credibility of the judiciary is at stake.
The letter, copied to senior judicial officials including the Presiding Judge in Busia and the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, underscores a broader problem: the erosion of integrity within Kenya’s justice system. As disciplinary proceedings against some court staff unfold, the spotlight remains firmly on Busia, where the battle between justice and corruption appears to be intensifying.
