A delegation from the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) has visited Migori County to evaluate the County courts and engage with judicial stakeholders.
Head of the JSC delegation, Everlyn Olwande, said that Commission was currently engaging in a programme of visiting the courts across the republic.
Olwande said that the Commission will also be engaging with other stakeholders, the county governments being the biggest stakeholders in areas of partnerships, to collaborate and enhance access to justice.
The jury emphasised that the law requires every Sub-county to have a court to provide justice at the grassroots level.
Currently, the County has four courts in the Sub-counties at Awendo, Suna Migori, Rongo, and Kehancha in Kuria.
Initially, the County had eight sub-counties, but the County acquired four new additional sub-counties bringing the number to 12.
Nyatike Sub-county is currently operating with a mobile court, but Olwande affirmed that already a new court was being constructed promising that the Commission will see how to help fasten its completion.
She also disclosed that the delegation had discussed about establishing courts in Ndimaru and Mabera Sub-counties in the Kuria region, where the County government has promised to give land for their establishment.
On matters of judicial discipline, Olwande pointed out that the JSC will continue looking at complaints and petitions that have been filed against judges.
She pointed out that the Commission is committed to its mandate in addressing matters of discipline of judicial officers and judges.
“The challenge the Commission is facing is the general statements being made by individuals, where no specific complaints are filed,” elaborated Olwande.
She said that the country has set structures in the Constitution and laws that the JSC ought to follow, to ensure that corrupt judges are brought to book.
Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko welcomed the partnership gesture, stating that his Administration will continue to have constructive engagement, to enable the residents access judicial services.
Ochilo explained that the JSC delegation had indicated a great desire to become the county partners in putting up other judicial facilities to help county residents access judicial services.
He, however, emphasised that although it was not the core mandate of the county to be participating in offering judicial services or infrastructure, he promised to give land for the establishment of courts.
Ochilo pointed out it was the fundamental right of every person to access judicial services making it a fundamental duty to do what must be done to participate in creating an environment to support such initiatives.
Mr. Isaac Rutto, a Public Representative on the JSC acknowledged that the judiciary arm of government is underfunded to perform its core mandate.
He said that the delegation has visited several counties, where there are stalled court projects, some lasting more than 10 years.
“We need the Judiciary to be properly funded, so that we can have courts in every Sub-county in the country,” noted Rutto.
By Geoffrey Makokha
