- Martha Koome has opened the Kisii Municipal Court and has urged vigilance against child defilement, warning of its lifelong impact on victims and society.
- She has emphasised integrity among young lawyers and has encouraged courts to expose students to live proceedings to bridge theory and practice.
- Local leaders have praised the new court, which has been expected to ease congestion, decentralise justice, and protect vulnerable groups including women and children.
Chief Justice Martha Koome has urged vigilance in protecting children from defilement, warning that the crime leaves lifelong scars and undermines the country’s future. Speaking on Monday during the official opening of the Kisii Municipal Court, Koome said defilement destroys childhood and breeds bitterness, anger, and mistrust in society.
“Defilement creates bitter and revengeful citizens based on abused childhood experiences. When we fail to protect our children, we are raising a generation that grows with pain, anger and mistrust in society,” she cautioned. She called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to remain vigilant and report cases promptly so perpetrators are held accountable.
Koome also urged young lawyers to uphold integrity, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law as they build their careers. She encouraged courts to occasionally open proceedings to students and young practitioners, saying exposure to live sessions would bridge the gap between classroom theory and practice while preparing the next generation of judicial officers.
The Kisii Municipal Court is expected to ease congestion in existing courts and bring judicial services closer to residents and traders in Kisii town and its environs. Governor Simba Arati, the Chief Resident Magistrate, and other local leaders joined Koome at the ceremony, praising the new facility as a boost to the county’s justice system. They noted that decentralising services would reduce costs and time for residents seeking legal redress.
Governor Arati pledged the county government’s support in providing infrastructure, lighting, and security around the court premises. He said the facility would reduce the burden on residents and promote efficiency in the delivery of justice.
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Functions of Municipal Courts
Municipal courts are established to handle matters arising within towns and urban centres. Their jurisdiction covers civil disputes such as small claims, landlord‑tenant matters, debt recovery, and contract disagreements. They also preside over minor criminal cases, including petty offences and traffic violations, as well as business and market disputes linked to trading activities, hawking, licensing, and municipal by‑laws.
In addition, municipal courts address family and community matters such as maintenance and mediation cases that can be resolved quickly at the local level. By handling these issues, they ease pressure on the High Court and Magistrate Courts, ensuring faster dispensation of justice.
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Local leaders present lauded the judiciary for decentralising services, saying the Kisii Municipal Court would strengthen the rule of law, protect vulnerable groups including women and children, and support the county’s growth and security agenda.
By Enock Okong’o
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