CJ Maraga Closes All Courts in Mombasa

A photo of Chief Justice David Maraga during a press conference at the Supreme Court on November 4, 2019.
Chief Justice David Maraga during a press conference at the Supreme Court on November 4, 2019.
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Chief Justice David Maraga on Friday, June 19, suspended all Mombasa open court activities after 11 staff members tested positive.

In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Maraga revealed that the cases were reported in the past 24 hours.

“They include Judiciary officers and registry staff. Additionally, their primary contacts within the courts totaling 118 officers have been identified and must now go into self-quarantine with immediate effect as directed by the Ministry of Health officials,” Maraga stated.

The CJ further revealed that the affected courts are the Main Court Building, the City Court and the Tononoka Children’s Court.

The Chief Justice however maintained that online and other virtual services would be in service where possible.

CJ Maraga's statement on the closure of courts on June 19, 2020.
CJ Maraga's statement on the closure of courts on June 19, 2020.

The cases come barely a week after the Judiciary announced the reopening of courts while adhering to the Ministry of Health Covid-19 protocols.

"To promote social distancing, we shall limit the number of people physically accessing the courts at any given time. Kindly cooperate with the officers responsible at the court entrances," the Judiciary noted at the time.

To control crowds, courts were directed to allocate staggered hearing schedules, and parties advised to note their allocated time and keep the schedule.

"Virtual hearings will continue, with limited physical hearings as necessary as advised by the court," the statement read in part.

Health CAS Rashid Aman, while issuing the daily updates on Coronavirus stated that 117 people tested positive from 3043 samples tested bringing the total number of cases to 4,374 and the number of samples tested to 433,541.

Mombasa recorded 22 cases from Mvita (8), Kisauni (5), Changamwe (4), Likoni (3), Jomvu (1) and Nyali (1).

Health CAS Rashid Aman addressing the media at a press briefing. May 13, 2020.
Health CAS Rashid Aman addressing the media at a press briefing. May 13, 2020.
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