Collins Matubwi
Kakamega
Chief Justice David Maraga has officially opened the new Kakamega Law Courts that was constructed at a cost of Sh338.7million.
The new court has eight courtrooms and 12 chambers, an Advocates’ lounge and another one for use by judges and magistrates, a lactating room for members of the public and a separate one for members of staff.
Justice Maraga while opening the new law courts, he was accompanied by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Elsie Muhanda (Kakamega Women Rep), Lurambi MP Bishop Titus Khamala, Judiciary Chief of Staff Anne Amadi, World Bank JPIP Coordinator Nancy Kanyogu among other dignitaries.
“I would like to thank the World Bank who, through the Judicial Performance Improvement Project, have funded the construction of this complex at the sum of Sh388.7 Million. It is one of the 28 court buildings in the JPIP programme and as I said, six others will be launched shortly,” said Maraga.
Maraga decried that Kakamega County still has a high prevalence of sexual assault cases, often associated with drug and alcohol abuse and asked religious leaders, chiefs and their assistants to help in sorting out the matter.
However, Maraga was on the receiving end from local leaders who said his decision to advise President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve parliament was uncalled for.
“Even if you send me home today, I will still shoot down that two third gender rule. We have 416 MPs and now you want to add us 100 more MPs as if we are a market place. This country must cultivate a culture where women must fight for their space when it comes to elections,” said Bishop Khamala, the Lurambi MP.
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala told Maraga that despite upholding the rule of law, advising the President to dissolve parliament was in bad taste.
“You should convene a meeting for the three arms of government and help us solve the constitutional quagmire you have put us in,” said Malala.
These sentiments were shared by Kakamega Women Rep Elsie Muhanda who argued out that even if parliament was dissolved; men will still be elected as women do not have money to run a spirited electioneering campaign.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the Council of Governors will move to court to get an advisory opinion over the matter.
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