The High Court in Mombasa on Monday, March 30, delivered 23 judgements for resentencing via a video link to inmates at the Shimo la Tewa Prison.
The video link was used to connect the judge at the Mombasa Law Courts to respective inmates in an effort to ensure social distancing in judicial affairs to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Justice Erick Ogolla said the technology was proof that courts are still working despite the fact that most of the staff are at home.
“We have a skeleton staff that is still working and this should let the public know that we are dealing with urgent matters,” Justice Ogolla said.
The video link was an internet link via a computer connected in both ends
Ogolla asked Kenyans not to shy away from seeking justice due to the temporary closure of court buildings.
The judge said the judgements on the petitions that had been filed by the prisoners for the review of their sentences, most of them being those serving death sentence and could not be delayed further because the inmates had spent a lot of time in prison.
“This is also a move to decongest prisons, as most of the prisoners are serving life or death sentences and if we reduce their time some are even walking free,” added Ogolla.
Most of those who were released were to serve some of the sentences on probation.
