Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, on Tuesday, addressed several issues pertaining to the Judiciary.
Speaking outside his office in Machakos, Mutua advised Chief Justice Maraga on the transformation the Judiciary should undertake in a bid to clear graft related cases.
According to the Governor, the war on corruption could not be won if the cases took ages to be concluded. He called for setting up a system that ensured the fast-tracking of cases.
"It is therefore important to set-up a system where cases are fast-tracked and accused persons are assured of justice either way. Those who are innocent are acquitted and those found guilty convicted and public monies recovered," he explained.
This, according to him, was because Kenyans were losing patience with the unending graft cases where suspects continued to roam freely on the streets.
Mutua also urged Maraga to ensure that corruption cases were heard continuously including weekends so as to conclude the cases in three months. He gave reference to election petitions that were heard continuously within a set period.
The county head advised that the Judiciary deploy a special team of officers only dedicated to corruption cases.
"The judicial officers gazetted to hear corruption cases should be freed from the normal judicial work so as to concentrate and hear these matters speedily," affirmed Mutua.
He warned against slashing of the Judiciary budget adding that it would negatively affect judicial operations.
The Governor demanded that Parliament deploy enough resources to the judiciary to hire more magistrates, judges, researchers, and finance other related expenditures in order to build capacity to try and render decisions within the speedy timelines.
"We should not be slashing the Judiciary’s budget and yet make demands for expeditious hearings. The Judiciary Transformation Program cannot be successful unless it is properly funded and executed," he concluded.
