The judiciary has initiated plans to ditch diesel-powered generators in the hundreds of its courts across the country and instead tap solar energy aimed at reducing the rising costs of power.
The solar project which the judiciary has already allocated sh. 40 million in the current financial year also aims to transition the judicial arm of the government to less pollutant power as the race to green energy gathers pace.
The judiciary aims to also reduce time losses and inconveniences caused by hours-long power blackouts that have been witnessed in the country in the recent past hampering service delivery.
Announcing the plans, Judicial Service Commission [JSC] Commissioner Everlyne Olwande said the Judiciary is seeking an additional sh. 100 million from the National Treasury to ensure more courts benefit from the solar project.
“The solar initiative that is set to be implemented in the coming months will boost the efficiency of court operations by reducing power grid dependency,” said Ms. Olwande during the JSC tour of Naivasha law courts.
The commissioner added that the judiciary also plans to fund the establishment of more courts in Gilgil and MaiMahiu areas to enhance access to justice for hundreds of aggrieved citizens.
In addition, she said the judiciary will also consider plans of establishing an Environment and Land Court [ELC] at the Naivasha law courts to address the rising case load after emerging parties currently seek justice in Nakuru.
The move to set up an ELC court is expected to offer relief and address rising land cases and grievances that continue to affect hundreds of families across the vast sub-county.
The commissioner said the judiciary will also partner with other players to operationalize the local Child Protection Unit that is set to host children in conflict with the law.
Ms. Olwande lauded the Naivasha Law Court for emerging as the best in hearing and determination of cases after over 3,000 cases were cleared during the 2021/22 financial year.
According to Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Ann Amadi, the commission seeks to establish challenges facing the courts across the country to inform timely interventions to facilitate easy access to justice.
Ms. Amadi called for the prudent use of limited financial resources allocated to courts by prioritizing issues that enhance service delivery to Kenyans.
On her part, Naivasha Court Users Association secretary Njeri Kahumba, said the move to operationalize the child protection unit will be a relief to hundreds of children who are often referred to Nakuru.
Ms. Njeri welcomes the move by JSC to consider more funding for the protection unit which currently needs over sh. 2 million to start operation as well as establishing a children-friendly court for minors.
Njeri who also serves as a probation officer said her office in partnership with the judiciary has managed to release more than 170 inmates from Naivasha Maximum Prison to ease congestion.
“We continue to review bond terms and sentencing to tens of inmates who have been released either on probation or community service”, said Njeri.
By Erastus Gichohi
