NAIROBI, Kenya — A High Court judge has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of handling murder cases, saying the work demands emotional discipline and reliance on God’s grace as courts are routinely exposed to disturbing evidence.
Presiding over the murder trial of a Multimedia University (MMU) student, Justice Diana Kavedza paused proceedings to reflect on the psychological weight borne by judicial officers during such cases.
She told the court that judges and magistrates are frequently confronted with graphic images and detailed accounts of death, drawing parallels between their work and that of pathologists who face similar realities daily.
“We see photos, we confront death every day,” Justice Kavedza said, underscoring the need for composure in the pursuit of justice.
The judge noted that while murder trials are emotionally taxing, the court must remain calm and controlled at all times to ensure fairness and order.
“The court must contain the emotions — that is its work,” she said, before directing that the hearing proceed.
Her remarks came as graphic material was presented in the ongoing trial linked to the killing of the MMU student, highlighting the grim nature of evidence often laid before the judiciary.
The comments shed light on the rarely discussed emotional burden faced by judges handling serious criminal cases, even as they are expected to remain impartial and focused on the rule of law.
