Kenol: The Kenol Law Courts have initiated the Annual Child Justice Month under the theme ‘Securing Justice for Every Child – Enhancing Multi-Agency Collaboration and Increasing Budgetary Allocation to Combat Child Abuse’. This marks a significant effort to prioritize justice for minors through collaborative approaches and increased resource allocation.
According to Kenya News Agency, Senior Resident Magistrate Sheila Nyaga, speaking at Maranjau Prison during a Court Users Committee (CUC) meeting, highlighted that the courts have partnered with CUC members, including advocates and other justice stakeholders, to expedite the resolution of cases involving minors. Nyaga emphasized that a special cause list has been drawn to prioritize children’s matters, following a directive from the Chief Justice to conclude all cases involving minors, both civil and criminal, within six months.
Nyaga revealed that the criminal court is actively handling sexual offence cases involving children, with 107 cases currently in process. Efforts are underway to clear the backlog swiftly. Murang’a South Children’s Officer Evelyn Miring’u noted that the Child Justice Month entails coordinated efforts between courts and government agencies to secure justice for minors. She urged the public to report cases affecting children, emphasizing collaboration from the grassroots to the highest levels of the justice system.
Miring’u also called on parents to ensure the safety and proper guidance of their children during the long holidays, stressing the importance of protection. Advocate Mwangi Nduati from the CUC stated that stakeholders will educate children on their rights, focusing on those in conflict with the law, in children’s homes, or involved in maintenance or adoption cases.
The Judiciary, through the Kenol Law Courts, plans to visit the Murang’a Juvenile Remand Home to assess the welfare of children in custody as part of the month’s activities. Additionally, the Kenol Court has established a Child Service Desk to address any concerns or questions regarding children throughout November.