Chief Justice Martha Koome
By Felix Njenga
Chief Justice Martha Koome has called upon all law enforcement agencies in the justice sector, social services and civil society organisations to intensify their vigilance and put protective measures in curbing femicide.
Koome speaking at Kirigiti Girl’s Rehabilitation Centre in Kiambu town during the launch of Nation Child Justice Service month that kicks off from today said that police officers, community leaders, nyumba kumi organizations and all citizens must join hands to work together to ensure that girls and women are safe in their homes, schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods.
“Why are our girls, why are our women being killed? It is notable that the deputy inspector of police put this alarming number of victims of femicide to 97 women killed in the last 90 days. One woman being killed is just too many, 97 is incomprehensible. this demands action from every corner of our society,” Koome said.
She said that combating femicide requires not just legal interventions but societal transformation and an unwavering belief that no woman or girl should ever feel alive is disposable.
“No girl or woman should feel that if I just leave home I cannot come back and that their lives do not matter. Our lives matter,” she said.
She said that it is a moral duty shared by everybody and women must break the silence and speak out and dismantle the systems that allow such heinous acts to go unchecked.
She urged the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to collaborate with the judiciary to enforce the preliminary enquiry, family group conferencing, diversion of children who are in conflict with the law.
“These are not just procedural choices, they are the acts of compassion that align with the values enshrined in our constitution,” she said.
Grace Mwihaki, deputy governor of the Kenya children in conflict with the law called on the prosecutors to be speaking in simple language while in court so that the children can understand easily.
“It helps when the court is less intimidating and there are friendly adults to explain things to children who are taken to court while in conflict with the law,” she said.
The Directorate of Children Services (DCS) called for the establishment of a special police unit in line with section 242 of the children bill that will deal specifically with issues of children.
The law enforcers said that the request by the DCS is just a rule and not a law where their hands are tied to implement.
Justice Teresia Matheka who was in attendance said that the judiciary has brought their minds together on issues of children by fast tracking their cases and have pulled resources to ensure that children are served better.
Matheka called on court users committees and magistrates to set aside a day and speak, educate and inform the public inside the courtrooms on preliminary inquiry, diversion and family conference which are alternative ways for children who are in conflict with the law to get justice.
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