- Nairobi has the highest number of special magistrates at seven while Kiambu, Nakuru and Nyeri have five each.
- Chief Justice has since directed that all hate speech cases pending before court be concluded in the next four months.
Image: FILE
Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed 119 special magistrates to hear and determine election-related offences.
In a gazette notice published March 11, Koome said the appointments take effect from January 19, 2022.
The appointments were made in all counties but some devolved unit got more special magistrates than others.
Nairobi has the highest number of special magistrates at seven while Kiambu, Nakuru and Nyeri have five each.
Mombasa and Kisumu have four. Uasin Gishu, Migori, Murang'a, Machakos, Makueni, Siaya, Kisii, Kirinyaga, Kilifi, Embu, Bungoma and Kajiado three each.
On March 8, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission put on notice leaders perpetrating hate speech and threatening the security of the country.
NCIC chairperson Samuel Kobia said the commission will not spare anyone spreading hate speech.
Speaking at the same event in Nairobi, the international community and Kenyan security agencies warned Kenya could be staring at election-related violence if necessary measures are not put in place to avert chaos.
Representatives of the UN, the Embassy of Sweden and the Ministry of Interior said measures must be put in place to stop the political class from inciting Kenyans against each other.
UN resident coordinator for Kenya Stephen Jackson said political temperatures have been rising as the August 9 election draws closer.
“The UN is working on rebuilding early warning systems together with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission," he said.
On February 21, the Chief Justice directed that all hate speech cases pending before court be concluded in the next four months.
Koome named the designated areas as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nakuru.
She also said courts prioritising crimes of hate speech will be set up in select hotspots to deal with matters under the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
Koome further said the Judiciary will train 361 officers who will handle disputes involving the election.
“This number is enhanced from the previous electoral cycles to facilitate expeditious disposal of emerging disputes,” she said.
Koome said in 2013, the Judiciary resolved 189 petitions and the number doubled to 388 in 2017.
She further said the number of petitions will likely increase because of the first change-over for governors.
The Chief Justice said there are 123 constituencies without a court and must therefore be served through mobile courts and circuits.
She said eight counties have no high courts and seven high courts do not have a judge and also rely on circuits.
The Judiciary boss said there are 174 judges across the hierarchy of courts, which translates to a ratio of 1:287,000.
Koome further said in the 2021/22 financial year, the Judiciary was allocated Sh17.1 billion, which represents 0.9 per cent, instead of the 2.5 per cent, of the national budget.
(edited by Amol Awuor)