Inmates air their grievances in open-day session with Judiciary

Kakamega, Kenya: Judiciary representatives held an open session at Kakamega Main Prison last week giving inmates a chance to air their views.

The session, also attended by representatives from the Law Society of Kenya and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), was led by Lady Justice Ruth Sitati who is the resident judge at the Kakamega High Court and the team obtained views from inmates who had numerous complaints.

Key among issues raised were lengthy time judgments take, unnecessary court adjournments, absenteeism of court officials, fluctuating charges lawyers demand and the release of very old prisoners serving at the prison.

The prisoners' representative Nickson Musanga narrated ordeals prisoners face in their quest to defend their innocence.

"To get a witness statement is like climbing Mount Kenya. You are arrested and probably have no cent yet the prosecution (police) want you to give them Sh50 to get witness statement, which are supposed to be free.

Witnesses also abscond court with the intent of making you suffer behind bars and other judgements handed down are simply too harsh," he said.

Justice Sitati assured the inmates that Kakamega courts will speed up ruling on pending cases.

"We have heard your grievances but can assure you that we are currently focusing on cases that have stayed for very long without a ruling being given.

By end of the year, we will have accomplished much so please bear with us," she said.

Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi asked those affected, especially with lengthy judgments, to forward their case files to the courts,

TOO LONG

"It is sad that some of you have been in remand for over seven years without your cases beginning. Kindly ensure you bring such files to us so we speed up justice," she said.

Prosecutor Samson Ng’etich, representing the DPP’s office, responded to allegations of denying inmates bond levelled against his department saying bond is only denied if a suspect has a questionable criminal record or is a danger to society.

Officer-in-charge Silas M'tambu said the prison has 1,205 inmates above the recommended 500