CJ Koome: All Defilement Cases Must Be Heard In Court

Chief Justice Martha Koome has issued a warning against addressing defilement matters outside of the courtroom.

She warned members of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) center not to take on cases involving injustices committed against minors, such as defilement and early and forced marriages. Such cases may only be heard and decided in courts of law, she says, and cannot be resolved under any customary law.

According to Ms. Koome, the Judiciary only encourages people to use ADR to solve non-criminal concerns.

“Through the alternative justice system, you can resolve cases of husband-wife disagreements, succession, land disputes, farmer-herder conflicts, and other minor cases.”

“However, attempted murder, defilement, rape, and robbery with violence, among other serious crimes, must not be dealt with by ADR members,” CJ Koome stated.

She delivered her remarks in the Mpeketoni Law Courts, where she presided over the opening of the Alternative Justice Systems Ukumbi Suite. The CJ also emphasized the importance of parents caring for their children.

“Children must be educated, given food, clothing, shelter, and other basic necessities, and be protected in any way.” Parents should stop ignoring their children.”