•During the period of closure, cases will continue via virtual platforms, and documents can be filed online as has been the case.
•Judicial officers in the area will use the Kericho County Revenue Offices temporarily where criminal pleas and other urgent matters will be handled.
Acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has directed the temporary closure of the Kericho Law Courts for 14 days over structural flaws.
In a statement on Saturday, Mwilu said they need funds to commence the immediate construction of Kericho Law Courts and others in similar state.
"We are already engaging with the relevant Parliamentary Committees on providing adequate funding by increasing the Judiciary’s development vote and thus availing much-needed funding for renovations and new court stations across the country," she said.
The State Department for Public Work carried out a structural investigation of the Kericho court building on February 16 and 17, 2021.
"The investigation report highlighted structural flaws arising from modifications undertaken on the building in 2014," Mwilu said.
The investigation report was forwarded to the Judiciary on March 3, 2021 with directions that the building be vacated as a matter of urgency to avert a potential disaster.
During the period of closure, cases will continue via virtual platforms, and documents can be filed online as has been the case.
Judicial officers in the area will use the Kericho County Revenue Offices temporarily where criminal pleas and other urgent matters will be handled.
"We are also engaged in discussions with both the County and the National Government to secure alternate facilities to house the Court in the intervening period," she said.
Court users and the general public will be notified about the new location once it is operational.