The Chief Justice, Mr David Maraga has opened the new Nanyuki Law Courts Building in what he termed as a representation of the new direction the Judiciarry is taking in the design and construction of ultra-modern facilities that will greatly improve the experience of all court users
“What we have here today is a model High Court building, the first of the type that is being replicated in other places such as Kakamega, Kapenguria, Voi, Maralal, Ol Kalou, Kwale, Mombasa and Garissa,” the CJ said in his address during the launch late August, adding that there are many unique elements to it.
Its design, he said, benefitted immensely from consultation with Judiciary key stakeholders through the Court Users Committees. As a result, the premises also host offices for all key justice sector partners such as the ODPP, Prisons, Probation and the Police.
The design also incorporated many features that safeguard the dignity of all court users, including suspects. As such, the court has segregated cells with separate facilities for the police and prisons, with each of them having separate cells for male and female as well as for juveniles, which are also separated into male and female.
Another distinct feature is enhanced security, with separate entrances for inmates and suspects, judicial officers, judicial staff and for members of the public.
The building, which has eight courtrooms and 12 chambers, has many other unique features, such as an Advocates’ lounge and another one for use by judges and magistrates. In further pursuit of greater convenience for all court users, there is a lactating room for members of the public, and a separate one for members of staff.
“We aim to put in place a modern Huduma Centre that will be heavily supported by ICT, with the quality of service being similar to what you see in a typical banking hall. You pick a token for the specific service you require, then sit down and wait for your number to be called up. Eventually, we will even have screens at the waiting bay so that you see the order of your case scrolling down on the screen, just like it happens at the airport as you wait for your flight,” the CJ added.
He thanked the World Bank who, “through the Judicial Performance Improvement Project, has funded the construction of this court at the sum of Sh318.5m. Several other courts in this project are now complete, and we will be launching a number of them in the coming weeks”.
