The Judiciary will scale down its activities for two weeks across the country starting Monday, March 16, 2020, the Chief Justice David Maraga has announced.
CJ Maraga announced the measures on Sunday after a meeting by the National Council for the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) for the containment of the coronavirus disease.
During this period, prisoners and remandees will not be brought to court while all new cases and arrests, except serious ones, will be dealt with at police stations.
“Hearing and mentions of all civil cases in all the courts are hereby suspended with immediate effect,” announced CJ Maraga.
But courts will continue to handle certificates of emergency and taking place in serious criminal cases, announced the CJ.
“During this time, all judicial officers and staff will continue going to their offices. However, there will be no open court appearances,” said Maraga.
In the meantime, judges in all stations continue review cases already identified by the prison authorities and issue appropriate revisions orders in an effort to decongest the prisons.
Magistrates Courts will also review bail terms for those in remands, Maraga said.
The NCAJ also banned judicial staff from travelling outside Kenya for both private and official business for the next 30 days.
Conferences, colloquiums and trainings have also been put on hold.
