A new law court will be established in Ugunja Town, Siaya County as part of the judiciary’s efforts to ease access to justice.
According to the presiding judge of the Siaya High Court, Justice Daniel Ogembo an approval has already been granted for the establishment of the court that will serve the residents of Ugunja Sub County and its environs who are currently forced to travel to Ukwala or Siaya to access justice.
Speaking during a visit to the proposed site which is adjacent to the Ugunja Deputy County Commissioner’s office at Nyasanda, Justice Ogembo said it is the vision of the judiciary to have at least a resident magistrate’s court in every Sub County.
He said that the realization of the Ugunja court will see Siaya county hit close to 100% mark as there will be courts in all the constituencies.
“Siaya could perhaps be the first county to hit the 100% mark in ensuring success of Chief Justice Martha Koome agenda of spreading the justice services to every corner of this country,” he said.
Ugunja member of parliament, Opiyo Wandayi hailed the judiciary’s move adding that it will relieve his constituents of huge expenditure spent travelling long distances in search for justice.
Wandayi, who is also the National Assembly Minority Leader, said the local Constituency Development Fund has set aside Sh27 million for construction of the first phase of the project.
The occasion was also attended by Siaya chief magistrate, Margaret Wambani and magistrates Lester Simiyu and Benjamin Limo both of whom urged the area residents to embrace alternative dispute resolution to ease congestion in courts.
By Philip Onyango
