Kiogoro MCA Samuel Apoko has supported the idea of empowering village elders, to help handle minor cses in a bid to decongest the justice system.
Speaking at a local Church in his Kiogoro backyard on Sunday, Apoko said many of his constituents were compelled to attend court sessions at Kisii Law courts despite having committed offences that could be easily solved at the local level.
He urged the national parliament to expedite the process of empowering village elders to deal with some of the issues at the local level, rather than having residents commute daily to seek justice in the court.
“Our court system deals with serious cases and some that are filed there that can be handled at the local level. Time has come for the parliament to enact a law that will allow our people deal with petty cases at the local level, preferably where elders will act as judges,” he said.
According to him, the ‘petty’ cases were delaying handling of more serious matters in the court hence leading to delay of justice.
“I am not being soft on offenders but it’s important to note that courts should be handling more serious matters. It will be cost effective if minor cases are dealt with by elders instead of subjecting them for scrutiny at the court level. This will be affordable for the vulnerable in the society,” he said.
If parliament enacts such a law, many matters especially to do with community land will be solved expeditiously at the local level, according to Kisii University Political Science Lecturer Vincent Moracha.