The fight against Female Genital Mutilation among the Kuria community, Migori county has received a major boost following the launch of a new children friendly court.
WhoLives, an NGO, renovated an old court at the Kehancha Law Court premises to make it more children friendly.
The renovation involved painting the walls with warm colours and murals, adding children friendly furniture for both clerks, presiding judges and police officers.
“Main courts are often open and do not have witness protection, this new court has a special booth where a child can easily give his witness statement without being seen by the accused person,” Kehancha Senior Principal Magistrate Moses Obiero said.
He said the witness booth has special glasses where a child giving witness testimony can be heard, see inside the court but cannot be seen by the court.
“This is a very important aspect because in most cases, especially children, the presence of an accused person can be intimidating,” Obiero said.
He said the justice system is still grappling with FGM in the area which he said is being pushed by community elders.
“We inform elders in the community that female circumcision is a serious offence together with other cultural practices which affect the rights of children,” he said.
Mark Anderson, the operations manager at WhoLives said they undertook the renovation of the children court after noticing there was a gap in handling children by the judicial system for both police and courts.
“We have a welcoming and secure place for children to face those who are violating their rights by practicing FGM, early marriages and gender based violence,” Anderson said.
Susan Matinde an anti-FGM activist said before the renovation witness were taken to Kisii and Kakamega counties.
“To cut down on these travels, we had to offer children safe havens in homes in the areas. Having cases heard in open courts or judges’ chambers has also hampered justice,” she said.
She said her organisation is currently having six girls with active court cases and 68 others who fled homes over FGM related cases.
“The idea that a child can face her accusers, some relatives in an open court has been intimidating. Most drop off or recant their statements but this new court will end this,” Matinde said.
Kuria Council of Elders Coordinator Zakaria Marwa said the new court will help the community end FGM and other injustices against children.
Children have rights are protected under the Children's Act 2012.
