Chief Justice Martha Koome has described early pregnancy as a child justice crisis in Bungoma County, urging a coordinated response to protect children and improve access to justice for survivors of sexual offences.
During the interaction with Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, Koome said there are now 125 defilement cases waiting at Bungoma Law Courts. Her remark pointed out the seriousness of the issue, prompting a collaboration involving the Judiciary, the Children’s Department, the County Government, and other relevant parties.
Koome commended the Bungoma County for having set up the Children’s Rescue Centre of Ndengelwa. She suggested the authorities to set it in every other sub-county. Also, the CJ insisted the survivors of sexual and gender-based violence be free of any medical costs as payment only brings more pain to the wounded.
Governor Lusaka stated that the child protection issue had to be of utmost concern to the county government whose committed to taking it seriously as one of the major tasks, and had also promised stronger measures against the offenders of defilement and other similar crimes.
In her further remarks, Koome insisted that the strengthening of Alternative Justice Systems would be important. According to data, only about 17 per cent of those seeking justice appear in court and the majority remain separated from their culture, but still find community-based dispute resolution appealing.
She further pointed out the need for extending the court systems as four courts can hardly serve the nine constituencies in the county.
