Chief Justice Martha Koome Has announced that the Madaraka Law Courts will re-open on July 1, 2024, for plea taking.
In a statement on Sunday, June 23, Koome said only fit-for-purpose and secured courtrooms would be used for plea-taking.
The Chief Justice noted that hearings and mentions will resume in a manner advised by the Court Users Committee (CUC).
“1st July 2024 Plea-taking shall resume at Makadara Law Courts. Only secured and fit-for-purpose courtrooms shall be used for plea-taking. Hearings and Mentions shall resume in the manner advised by the CUC,” read the statement in part.
Koome that the Makadara Law Courts will on June 28, 2024 reorganize the court diaries to assign new dates and implement the recommendations of the CUC on the modalities of resuming court operations.
“Pursuant to resolutions of the CUC, the Head of Station shall issue a notice on new dates for cases affected during the suspension period. This shall also include directions on mention dates, payment of cash bail and guidance on virtual hearings for the pending matters. The notice shall be posted on the Judiciary website,” Koome stated.
The Chief Justice mentioned that all matters from Makadara Law Courts shall be handled at Milimani Law Courts as she had directed earlier.
At the same time, CJ Koome announced that the Makadara Law Courts team and all key stakeholders working in Makadara Law Court will undergo trauma counselling from Monday, June 24 to Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
According to Koome, the measures will include individual and group counselling sessions led by professional counsellors.
Simultaneously, the Directorate of Building Services shall oversee the dismantling and removal of the makeshift structures at Makadara Law Courts.
CJ Koome closed the Makadara Law Courts after Magistrate Monica Kivuti was shot by a police officer on June 13, 2024.
Kivuti was rushed to hospital for treatment but succumbed due to the extensive injuries on Saturday, June 15.
She was laid to rest on Saturday, June 22 in Machakos County.
