Chief Justice Martha Koome says all courts in Kenya will be automated by March 11 this year. Addressing a gathering of Heads of Mission and Development Partners, Koome stated that this will ensure digital inclusion for the vulnerable in society.
She highlighted the introduction of desks and assisted service stations across the country, providing self-represented litigants with the ability to utilize e-filing and engage in virtual court proceedings.
The Chief Justice also stated that Trauma Informed Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and Children’s Courts have been rolled out across the country due to the surge in Femicide Cases.
Apart from creating accessible courts for all citizens, the Judiciary will extend the implementation of small claims courts and courts of petty sessions to promptly handle minor civil and criminal matters
“In addition to ensuring that we have courts stations within the reach of every citizen, we are also rolling out more claim courts and courts of petty session to hear and resolve minor, civil and criminal matters promptly,” she further stated.
She also revealed that all courts across the country will be automated by March 11 to ease the reporting process.
Her remarks follow a disclosure by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) indicating that a total of 94 cases involving the killing of women and girls were reported from 2021 to 2024.
DCI head Mohamed Amin mentioned that out of these cases, 65 suspects have been brought before different courts nationwide in connection with the homicides.
Amin directed a team of specially trained investigators from the DCI’s Homicide Directorate to expedite investigations into serious sexual offenses and murder incidents involving women. This move aims to put an end to what he described as the worrying trend of femicide in the country.
“These killings have cast a dark shadow over our safety and security endeavours; we must put this menace to end with remarkable speed and finality,” he said.
The team comprising criminal intelligence analysts and forensic experts, will also partner with other stakeholders to come up with swift and comprehensive preventive strategies to address the violation of human rights.
The team has been directed to conclude ongoing investigations and ensure that all individuals responsible are held accountable. Amin pledged to allocate necessary resources to the investigative teams, facilitating them in carrying out their responsibilities effectively.
The DCI boss further appealed to members the public to volunteer any information that could aid in investigations or assist in apprehension of perpetrators of femicide and violence against women through the toll-free DCI hotline 0800722203.
