Murang'a: The Judiciary has intensified efforts to enhance access to justice and ease congestion in Murang'a prisons through digital reforms, including the introduction of virtual court sessions. Speaking at Maranjau Prison, Murang'a High Court Presiding Judge, Lady Justice Cecilia Githua, said the Judiciary is committed to promoting social transformation by improving access to justice and ensuring timely delivery of court services.
According to Kenya News Agency, Justice Githua, accompanied by stakeholders in the criminal justice system, visited Maranjau Prison where they donated laptops to facilitate virtual court hearings. The initiative aims to promote efficiency in case management and reduce unnecessary delays. 'We are here to consult with stakeholders because it is part of our responsibility as judges to ascertain the living conditions of the people we send for rehabilitation,' said Justice Githua. 'As stakeholders in the criminal justice system, we collaborate on matters that enhance access to justice,' she added.
Maranjau Prison, located in Maragua Constituency, will now host virtual court sessions following the donation of five laptops. The move is expected to reduce congestion and minimize delays caused by logistical challenges in transporting inmates to court. 'This prison is located about twenty kilometers from the main road, and the access road is in poor condition,' noted Justice Githua. 'Previously, the officer in charge had to transport remand inmates to Kenol Law Courts. With virtual courts, prisoners can now attend sessions from within the facility, reducing transport costs and improving efficiency,' she said.
The judge further revealed that stakeholders are exploring long-term solutions to decongest Maranjau Prison, which currently houses 425 inmates despite its capacity of 300, straining available resources and facilities. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Murang'a Chapter, represented by advocate Mbui Ndegwa, pledged continued collaboration with the Judiciary to sustain the digital court initiative. He said the LSK will continue offering legal aid services to inmates and remandees to ensure fair access to justice.
'We have been partnering with correctional services in various ways, including offering legal aid, and we will continue to support this initiative,' said Ndegwa. Stakeholders also appealed to the Ministry of Interior and the State Department for Correctional Services to provide additional ICT infrastructure in prisons to complement the Judiciary's digitization efforts.
During the visit, the delegation donated personal hygiene items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, and foodstuffs, to improve the living conditions of inmates. In a related exercise, 106 inmates were released from Maranjau Prison as part of ongoing efforts to decongest correctional facilities and promote access to justice across the county.