Chief Justice David Maraga. [Photo/capitalfm.co.ke]
Chief Justice (CJ) David Maraga has unveiled a team that will spearhead reforms in the country's criminal justice system.
The reforms will ensure the system becomes fair and efficient.
Speaking at the Supreme Court in Nairobi during the launch of the national committee on criminal justice reforms CJ David Maraga observed that the Kenyan structure is controlled by the high and mighty in the society while the poor languish in prisons for lack of proper legal representation.
The Chief Justice acknowledged there is need to decriminalize minor offenses and ease congestion in the already overstretched correctional facilities.
Attorney general Githu Muigai noted some of the provisions of the criminal justice act are obsolete and need updating.
The multi-agency committee was formed following a judicial audit in 2015 which revealed systemic, structural and agency challenges in the Country’s criminal justice system.
Gazetted in June 2017 the team chaired by Lady Justice Grace Ngenye has until December 2018 to finalize its mandate which includes drafting a Criminal Justice Amendment Bill to be tabled in Parliament for approval.
The launch of the national committee on criminal justice reforms comes after an inmate at Migori GK Prison died in mysterious circumstances following a foiled escape during Sunday service.
Migori County Police Commander Joseph Nthenge has refuted claims that the deceased was tortured saying an autopsy will be done to establish the cause of death.