Chief Justice Martha Koome has asked Parliament to increase the budgetary allocation for children’s matters.
Koome said courts and other justice bodies have had to contend with limited funding to handle these crucial cases.
She spoke while addressing the press and judicial partners at the Supreme Court on Thursday.
Koome commended the judiciary for their commitment to helping children access justice despite the challenges.
“Colleagues, I acknowledge the limitation in funding and budgetary allocation across all justice agencies handling children matters,” she said.
“Despite the challenges, I appreciate all the heads of stations and members of the Court User Committees for your agility and commitment to administering justice for the children.”
The chief justice further commended justice partners for innovating and creating ways to fill the gap and serving justice to children regardless.
“I commend the National Council on Administrative Justice standing committee on the administration of Justice in Kenya and its partners for advocating for the child's best interest and prioritising the future of Kenya through the children,” she said.
Koome further directed that all courts in the country hold the Annual November Service Month on Children Matters.
This, she said, aims at to not only clearing backlog of children cases but also promoting the rights of the child within the communities.
“I hope that as you continue to uphold your mandate, children will have a normal life and childhood away from the justice system,” Koome said.
