In a bid to mark the children service month for legal aid clinic and sensitization on the children’s act 2022, the Kenol Law courts in conjunction with the children’s department Murang’a South and the court users committee visited St Michael rescue center in Maragua, where they donated foodstuffs, clothing, and other provisions to the rescued children.
Led by the courts’ Senior Resident Magistrate Sheila Nyaga, the court users also engaged and sensitized the children on the Children’s Act 2022 which emphasizes on the right of children to parental care through inclusion of alternative care services such as temporary shelter in rescue homes and re-integration followed by after care.
“The judiciary works closely with the children’s department so that we can protect the rights of all children and this month we are particularly keen on determining and fast-tracking all cases involving children,” she noted.
Launched by the Chief Justice Martha Koome, the month of November has been dedicated by the Kenyan Judiciary as the children service month meant to sensitize the public on the rights of the children, to hear, determine and fast track all cases involving children across all court stations.
The children service month will also prioritize clearance of children matters especially those that have been in court beyond the statutory six months.
Started in 1998, St Michael rescue Centre is an affiliate of the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a that rescues, rehabilitates, re-integrates and re-socializes street boys in need of care and protection.
The rescue Centre currently hosts 30 boys aged between 8 and 16 years.
The Children’s Act 2022 replaced the 2001 Act and provides enhanced legal provisions to safeguard the rights of children and to eliminate all forms of violence against children in all settings.
By Florence Kinyua