70 judges deployed to clear criminal appeals

Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga. The Judiciary will dedicate 70 judges in 20 High Courts countrywide to clear pending criminal appeals. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Judges will be deployed from October 14, 2013 to clear over 5,000 pending appeals
  • Exercise to decongest prisons in the country save the taxpayer over Sh223 million
  • Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga, will launch the programme

The Judiciary will dedicate 70 judges in 20 High Courts countrywide to clear pending criminal appeals in two weeks.

A statement from the Judiciary stated that the judges will be deployed from October 14, 2013 to clear over 5,000 pending appeals.

“The target to hear and determine about 1,500 criminal appeals and review the eligibility of 3,500 prisoners for Community Service Orders,” the statement by Mr Naim Bilal
Director, Public Affairs and Communication indicated

The exercise, to be undertaken by High Court, Industrial Court and Environment and Land Court judges is expected to substantially decongest prisons in the country save the taxpayer over Sh223 million.

The Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga, will launch the programme themed “Speeding up the Wheels of Justice on Friday at Kamiti Maximum Prison in Nairobi.

Last year, the High Court cleared 3,944 appeals, leaving 10,289 others pending. This includes 3,325 appeals filed during the year. It is estimated that out of a total 33, 194 convicted prisoners, 12, 704 prisoners qualify for Community Service.