The Chief Justice (CJ), David Maraga is scheduled to officially open newly constructed Vihiga Law Court building early next month.
The Presiding High Court Judge in charge of Kakamega, William Musyoka made the revelation when he presided over Vihiga County Court Users Committee (CUC) meeting on Thursday.
Musyoka informed the committee the CJ will visit the county on 5th July, 2019, according to the Supreme Court diary.
“We have confirmed President of the Supreme Court will officially open Vihiga Law Court on 5th July,” said Musyoka.
The Vihiga Senior Resident Magistrate, Samson Ongeri informed the committee the new building, which was funded by the World Bank to the tune of Shs.72million in 2015, was 92 percent complete.
“The contractor has assured us that the remaining works, mostly plumbing and wiring, would be finished before end of this month,” reported Ongeri.
The same lending institution funded construction of Hamisi Law Court in Hamisi Sub County to the tune of Shs.72million the same year.
The High Court Judge tasked the committee to work out a memorandum containing key issues that area residents want addressed by the CJ during his tour of the area.
Location of the proposed Vihiga High Court is one of the thorny issues that members agreed should feature in the memorandum.
According to the CUC members, the locals are sharply divided on whether the proposed High Court should be at Hamisi or Vihiga Law Courts.
“Justice Aggrey Muchelule had promised people living in Hamisi Sub County the proposed High Court would be stationed at Hamisi Law Courts,” claimed a member of the CUC.
The committee was informed that a section of county residents want the High Court to be at Vihiga Law courts. Musyoka assured the committee the matter would be settled by the Supreme Court President.
The Judge further asked the committee in its memorandum to request the Judiciary through the CJ to allocate funds for construction of a Magistrate court in Luanda Sub County.
The County government of Vihiga has already transferred 1.9 acres in Luanda Sub County to the Judiciary, which the committee was told was ready to construct the court.
“What is now needed is putting infrastructure at the proposed site,” noted Musyoka who thanked Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo for procuring the land on behalf of the Judiciary.
By Maurice Aluda
