KILIFI, Kenya — The justice sector in Kilifi has marked a major milestone with the launch of a newly constructed Children’s Court within the Kilifi Law Courts complex, a development expected to significantly improve the handling of child-related cases in the region.
The court, unveiled on Wednesday, is equipped with modern virtual interviewing facilities designed to create a safe, confidential, and trauma-sensitive space for children who testify in ongoing cases.
Justice actors say the new infrastructure will bolster efforts to protect minors from intimidation, re-traumatisation, and other vulnerabilities associated with the traditional courtroom environment.
Representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Principal Prosecution Counsel Nyakibia Malikah Mburu affirmed that child-sensitive prosecution remains a core pillar of the ODPP’s work.
“Our policies are designed to ensure that the dignity, protection, and best interests of children come first at every stage of the justice process,” she said, noting that prosecutors follow strict standards on shielding minors from secondary trauma and linking them to appropriate referral and support services.
Mburu added that the ODPP continues to prioritise diversion for eligible child offenders to prevent unnecessary exposure to the formal criminal justice system, promote rehabilitation, and encourage reintegration.
She also highlighted plea bargaining as an effective tool for resolving suitable cases quickly while preserving the welfare of minors involved.
The Chief Guest, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Hon. Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, commended the Judiciary and partner agencies for expanding child-focused justice infrastructure, describing the court as a crucial investment in safeguarding children’s rights.
Present at the launch were Hon. Lady Justice Thande, the Presiding Judge of the Malindi Law Courts, Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa Chibule, and officials from the County Children’s Department, State Department for Children, County Gender Services, and the National Council for Children’s Services.
The opening of the court comes at a time when Kilifi continues to record a high number of cases involving minors, including sexual offences, abuse, neglect, and children in conflict with the law.
Justice sector actors say the new facility will strengthen coordination across institutions and enhance access to justice for one of the county’s most vulnerable groups.
