Kericho residents have been advised to be free to exercise their judicial rights, when dealing with any matter which calls for legal attention.
Speaking at the Kericho Law Courts grounds, during the Judiciary Dialogue day which brought together judicial officers, legal stakeholders, and members of the public to discuss judicial processes, improving service delivery, and strengthening stakeholder relationships, Kericho Chief Magistrate Charles Obulutsa pointed out that many members of the public are often misled by rogue advocates due to lack awareness on the right legal processes.
“This is an auspicious occasion, which is organized purposely to provide a platform to bridge the gap between the judiciary and the public, fostering trust, accountability, and collaboration among justice sector stakeholders in Kericho.
“Our court system has been designed to accommodate every nature of cases brought before it, and I would like to assure everyone to report complaints immediately if scammed by any advocate,” emphasized Obulutsa.
The chief Magistrate assured members of the public that the court follows up on all judicial matters brought before it and that it was its core mandate to take necessary action.
He further reminded residents that they can file a case without a lawyer and that those who cannot afford private legal representation can seek assistance from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) for legal aid.
“Succession cases and alcohol abuse cases remain the most prevalent in this region. 4 out of 10 people involved in succession cases die due to alcohol abuse,’’ said Obulutsa.
Also present during the occasion was Kericho County Children’s Officer, Grace Kipkech, who took the members of public on the steps to follow when handling cases relating to minors.
Kipkech further called upon parents and guardians to show up for their children in remand and support them during legal processes, emphasizing that parental involvement is fundamental in the quest to seek the course of justice in cases involving minors.
“The Directorate of Children’s Services anchored on the Children’s Act 2022 safeguards the rights and welfare of children through establishment, provision, promotion, coordination and supervision of services and facilities designed to advance protection and wellbeing of children and their families,” she reiterated.
At the same time, Kericho OCS Robert Odongo urged members of the public to be aware of their rights when engaging themselves in public demonstrations.
Odongo further reminded citizens that before holding any protest, they must first notify the Officer Commanding Station and disclose the intended routes to ensure law and order are maintained.
“Anyone planning a public meeting or a public procession must notify the police commander of the nearest police station at least three days, but not more than 14 days, before the event.
Every person has the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities.
However, those who exercise it must not infringe unnecessarily on the rights of others, impede the operation of government, or endanger public order and safety,” added Odongo.
The Officer in charge of Prisons Department in Kericho, Otieno Sikuri, noted that many individuals jailed for crimes such as child defilement were intoxicated at the time of the offense.
He further revealed that Kericho has three prisons, with the majority of inmates being men.
The event saw an active public engagement, with citizens asking questions and seeking justice for long-pending cases.
Judicial officials however reassured members of the public that they will remain committed to transparency, accessibility and efficiency in the justice system.
By Kipyegon Mutai and Santia Chepngetich
