THE CJ LAUNCHES HIGH COURT BUILDING IN KAKAMEGA.

nn nnFebruary 12, 2018. C.J launches third high court building in two weeks. nnAs part of an aggressive expansion of court facilities across the country, Chief Justice David Maraga this morning laid the foundation stone for an ultra-modern High Court building in Kakamega.  The Ksh388 Million building will hold eight courtrooms and nine chambers, among other facilities.nnThis is the third High Court building launched by the Chief Justice this year. Two weeks ago he laid the foundation stones for the Kwale and Mombasa High Court buildings worth a total of KSh834 million.nnC.J Maraga said the number of land cases continued to rise and, despite acceding to a request during a previous visit to start an Environment and Land Court in Kakamega, the work load is still too high.nnHe said Principal and Chief Magistrates courts have now been given jurisdiction to handle land matters with a value of up to Ksh20 million. This will ease the pressure on the High Courts and reduce the caseload across the country.nnThe Kakamega building is being constructed with support from the World Bank’s Judicial Performance Improvement Project (JPIP).nnDuring the function, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said he wholly supported the independence of the Judiciary: “For a country to have a functioning  democracy and wananchi to enjoy the fruits of development, the rule of law must prevail,” he said.  “When it comes to honouring court summons and obeying court orders, we don’t have a choice: We, as the County Government of Kakamega will always comply.”nnL.S.K members who attended the ceremony wore yellow ribbons in protest against disregard for court orders.  Local L.S.K President Calestous Shifwoka said it symbolized that “at L.S.K we stand for the rule of law. The pinnacle of democracy is respect, obedience and enforcement of the rule of law.”nnHe added, “Throwing into disrepute the authority of the Judiciary is completely unacceptable.  As a lawyer, if the court is disobeyed, it leaves us and our clients helpless. Let the Judiciary stamp its authority.”nnKakamega High Court oversees magistrates’ courts in Vihiga, Butere, Mumias, Butali and Hamisi. The Judiciary is undertaking construction works in Butali, Vihiga and Hamisi courts. At Vihiga, extensive rehabilitation and expansion of the courts is ongoing with the aim of creating room for a High Court station.nnTomorrow, the Chief Justice will visit the Siaya Law Courts to inspect construction work on a new High Court building.nn nnnnnnnn