The Judiciary is set to establish a new court at Chemolingot town in Tiaty West Sub County in a bid to promote access to justice in this area affected by cattle rustling and banditry problems.
Speaking to the press after holding a stakeholder meeting at Kabarnet Law Courts on Thursday, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) team led by Everlyne Olwande said they have received numerous requests from members of the public to have permanent courts in certain parts of Baringo to expedite solving of cases within the society.
Olwande, flanked by commissioners Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, Jacqueline Ingutiah, Isaac Rutto, and Chief Registrar Anne Amadi said they are pushing for Chemolingot and Marigat Court which is facing land tussles, to be fast-tracked in order to limit distance traveled by residents of the said areas who incur huge expenditure traveling to Kabarnet and Eldama Ravine towns to access judicial services.
“We engaged the area local leadership led by Governor Benjamin Cheboi and are very supportive of Governor Cheboi’s promise to provide land for the establishment of Marigat and Chemolingot courts,” she said.
The JSC member also pointed out that the county lacks holding facilities for children and women, thus forcing offenders to be taken to Nakuru County which is over 100 kilometers away, and pledged to team up with the relevant authorities in addressing the challenge.
At the same time, she assured that the construction works of the stalled Kabarnet High Court and Eldama Ravine law courts buildings in Baringo Central and Koibatek Sub Counties respectively will resume in due course.
“Over Shs. 400 million has been pumped into the two courts and for Eldama Ravine, the contractor is on site while for stalled Kabarnet building we are soon advertising the contract,” said Olwande.
Rutto in his remarks agreed that the judiciary system especially in Baringo County needs massive investment due to its vastness and fair share of challenges like insecurity.
He noted that the remote parts of the county have been ignored for a long time and have never had justice but promised that in this current dispensation, they will benefit from resources from the Judiciary.
The former Bomet governor urged parliamentarians to continue supporting the Judiciary so that it can deliver its mandate of delivering justice in accordance with the Kenyan constitution.
By Benson Kelio
