Through a press release, Chief Justice Martha Koome, said that the Judiciary would work hard on clearing a backlog of cases.
The CJ added that cases concerning children would be prioritised in line with a request made by the National Council on Administrative Justice.
NCAJ requested CJ Koome to set aside a week themed, Children’s Service Week to address the plight of the minors every year.
Koome, while giving the directive, stated that children are the most vulnerable in society and should be protected at all costs.
"You can hold me personally accountable for anything that happens to children in the Judicial system because I have instructed courts to prioritize children's cases," she stated.
The CJ urged the Judiciary to better their numbers during this year’s Children’s Service Week.
According to Koome, children should be at home with their families and loved ones rather than at the penitentiaries.
"Last year during the service week, we solved 1,800 children's cases and help them to be where they are meant to be, at home, not in the system," the Chief Justice noted.
According to the CJ, it requires more than clearing cases of minors to protect the children.
He concurred with the National Council on Administrative Justice (NCAJ) on the need to celebrate children yearly.
"To further build on these gains, I have directed all courts throughout the country to hold the Annual November Service Month on Children Matters, with a view to not only clear backlog of children cases but also to promote the rights of the child within the communities," the CJ said.
It is estimated that over 200 children are currently confined with their mothers who are serving prison sentences.
In addition, over 17,000 minors are in detention centres, over 10,000 youth are in secure facilities, and 4500 in adult prisons.
