Court officials need counselling, says Judge

By Standard Reporter

A judge told how he was moved to tears in his chambers recently after taking a plea from a boy, 11, charged with murder at a Kakamega court.

Justice Msagha Mbogholi told a judicial officials’ meeting judges and magistrates had emotions like other human beings and required counselling.

"I was forced to fight back tears in the court because the boy was trembling and his advocate was shedding tears while the murder charge was being read to him," he said.

He added: "After taking the plea, I adjourned proceedings and went to cry in my chambers".

Speaking at Nyali Beach Hotel in Mombasa at the weekend, Mbogholi said counsellors should be employed in the Judiciary to handle judicial officers.

"We see and hear a lot in the course of our duties. The photographs and evidence adduced in court during murder, robbery with violence and rape cases speak volumes of what we undergo," he said.