The Family Division of the High Court in Nairobi has been closed after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
In a letter sent to judges, registrars and staff the Judiciary announced that the division will be closed for 10 days starting November 13.
"Following confirmation of Covid 19 in key staff who interact with both internal and external stakeholders in the Family Division of High Court at Milimani, division will be closed for ten days," read the letter in part.
"During the 10 days the premises will be disinfected and all staff in the division will be tested for Covid-19," presiding judge Aggrey Muchelule said.
Even as the physical court is close, the judge said, applications filed under a certificate of urgency via the e-portal will be heard on a daily basis.
However, the old cases which have already been scheduled for hearing during the ten days period will be given new dates once the court resumes operation.
Since the outbreak of Covid-19, this is the second time family division of high court is hit.
The first time was in July when a senior staffer tested positive.
This led to the closure of entire Milimani court.
A report by the Health ministry seen by the Star in June declared some courtrooms in Milimani unsafe.
The report is categorical that some courtrooms should not be used at all in their current status until their natural lighting and ventilation are adequately provided for.
For example, courtroom number 7, together with the children prosecution registry, are not appropriate to serve because of both size and ventilation.
“The court management is encouraged to come up with comprehensive structural maintenance works to specifically address the serious natural lighting deficits in all courtrooms,” the health officials said.
The courts generally are in a dilapidated state, with some having leaking roofs and others with broken doors.
For example, courtroom number 19, though adequately ventilated, had pools of rainwater on the floor, defective roof and its ceiling was sagging during the inspection time.
And to resolve this problems judiciary decided to introduce E-filing portal where litigants file their cases online and judges conduct virtual hearings.
Parties are given link on the public cause list and they can join their cases even from the comfort of their houses.
However, this has had a few bottlenecks such as internet challenge when sometimes parties don't hear each other.
Physical court sittings have also resumed in some courts.
