Ruto and CJ fight case seeking establishment of High Courts in all counties

Petitioner, lawyer Sharon Olili. [File, Standard]

The advocate said Lamu, Mandera, Isiolo, Nandi, Samburu, Turkana, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties do not have High Courts. She said people in the counties want services of the High Court and are forced to travel to the nearest counties.

She added that the Chief Justice has failed to establish magistrate's courts in all the sub-counties.

Constituencies such as Marti, Garbatulla, Kuresoi South, Kuresoi North, Bahati, Turkana North, Loima, Turkana South, Tiaty, Turkana East, Kipkelion West and Kipkelion East, Bureti, Belgut, Njoro, Rongai, Subukia Gilgil have no magistrate courts.

The petition also seeks an order compelling the Chief Justice to immediately establish a High Court in every county and a magistrate's court in every sub-county within 18 months.

The executive, led by President she said, should also be compelled to immediately fund the Judiciary within 12 months to facilitate the construction of the courts.

"The President during his swearing-in on 13/09/2022, the second respondent promised to enhance the judiciary budget from Sh14 billion to Sh17 billion in the next financial year.

The offer of additional Sh3 billion by any public participation or needs assessment is an indication that Judiciary is an underdog neutered by the second respondent," read the petition.