The Judiciary is holding a children’s service week at the Nakuru children’s court in a bid to fast-track the dispensing of cases and reduce the backlog of children related cases.
Speaking when he officially launched the five-day event, Nakuru Resident Magistrate Joe Omido said that the main aim of the service week is to ensure that children involved in various cases get justice served in the shortest time possible.
Justice Omido said the service week is in line with the Sustaining Judiciary Transformation (SJT) agenda which targets both criminal and civil cases where children are either victims, witnesses, complainants or the accused.
He noted that each Magistrate will handle 10 criminal cases daily for the five days.
Justice Omido said they decided to hold the service week in the month of August because schools are in recess and most children can be available to be presented in court.
Other cases which will be handled during the service week include child protection and civil cases.
A total of 13 Magistrates will participate.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Rift Valley President Ochang’ Ajigo said they have dedicated a team of lawyers who will help handle the children cases during the service week.
The theme of this year’s children service week is “Children should be in class not in Courts.”
