Chuka Law Courts Race Against Time to Give Minors Speedy Justice
By Sallo Gobana,
The initiative seeks to reduce case backlogs, protect young litigants from prolonged legal battles and strengthen access to child-friendly justice.
In a major bid to shield young litigants from the deep emotional distress of long-drawn legal fights, the Chuka Law Courts has launched a strict six-month window campaign this November to fast-track all pending children’s cases and resolve them within a strict six-month window as part of a nationwide judicial cleanup drive led by the Chief Justice to eliminate crippling case backlogs.
Speaking during an interview with the Chuka University Press Club, Hon. Tracy Wachira: A magistrate serving at the Chuka Law Courts said, “Children should not only be viewed as victims, but as right-holders,” stressing that the justice system can no longer treat a child's court case like an adult's lengthy legal process. She noted that this year's Children’s Service Month marks ten years of cooperation among key justice-sector partners, adding that the Judiciary cannot work alone in protecting vulnerable children.
The fast-tracking initiative targets many family and welfare cases, including custody and maintenance disputes, children in need of protection, minors in conflict with the law, and sensitive sexual offence cases.
To prevent delays from affecting children's lives, the court has already sent notices to people involved in ongoing cases. The move aims to reduce unnecessary postponements and arrange court sessions around school calendars to ensure that children's education is not interrupted.
Speeding up cases is only part of the effort; making the courtroom a comfortable place for children is equally important. Wachira noted that the Chuka Children’s Court is working to create child-friendly spaces with toys and colourful surroundings to replace the cold and frightening courtroom environment. When children are required to give evidence, proceedings can be held in camera, meaning that unnecessary members of the public are not allowed into the courtroom. This helps protect young witnesses from public attention, while court staff may also be adjusted to make children feel more comfortable. In addition, civil cases involving children's welfare remain completely free of filing fees, making it easier for low-income families to seek justice.
Although detention is only used as a last option, Wachira explained that other approaches, such as diversion and care within families, are given priority. However, she made it clear that sexual offences involving minors cannot be handled through diversion and must go through full court proceedings to ensure that victims are protected.
The magistrate stressed that long-term success depends on close cooperation among children's officers, probation officers, the police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Law Society of Kenya, and local educational institutions.
However, several challenges remain. She pointed out that limited funding, a lack of special facilities for handling children's cases across counties, and difficulties in finding vulnerable children affected by poverty and neglect in rural areas continue to affect the delivery of justice.
As the court carries out public awareness campaigns and workshops on alternative ways of resolving disputes throughout the month, she
urged parents involved in family disputes to put aside their differences and focus on responsible co-parenting. She also reminded young people who use digital platforms to think carefully before sharing their personal lives and information online. Despite the challenges, the Chuka Law Courts remain committed to ensuring that children receive timely justice, dignity, and fair decisions as provided for under the law.
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