Magistrate calls for alternative avenue to handle children cases

Thika Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo has called on law enforcement agencies and other players to explore avenues of dealing with children in conflict with the law rather than take them to court.

 While rooting for the minimizing of cases involving juveniles, the magistrate noted that the Children’s Act 2022 is more about rehabilitation and communities taking care of children instead of resorting to punitive measures.  “We have too many cases of minors being hounded to court for small offences. This should not be the case and the courts or remand should be the last option,” said Ms Atambo.

 The Chief Magistrate spoke when she led other colleagues, court users and members of staff in visiting Macheo Children Rescue Center in Gatuanyaga, Thika East sub-county where they donated foodstuff, shared a meal with the children and later planted trees.

 The occasion also marked the national children’s service month, in which the courts have been prioritizing and fast-tracking cases involving minors.

 “The biggest reason we are here today is to celebrate the Kenyan child under the theme ‘a new dawn for the Kenyan child’ and as such collaborative effort is needed in dealing with any child in conflict with the law,”  she said.