Chief Justice Martha Koome says addressing teenage pregnancies requires a whole-of-society approach. [Benard Owrongo, Standard]
Chief Justice Martha Koome has expressed concern over the surge in teenage pregnancies in Bungoma County.
Justice Koome termed the situation a major child justice crisis and called for urgent and coordinated action to protect children from predatory men and ensure justice is served.
She said that addressing the crisis requires a whole-of-society approach.
Speaking at the Bungoma County headquarters during an assessment visit aimed at evaluating the justice needs of residents, identifying challenges facing the justice sector and strengthening collaboration between the county government and the Judiciary, the CJ revealed that Bungoma Law Courts currently have 125 pending defilement cases.
"Such a societal problem cannot be handled by one actor. It is a collective responsibility. We need to assess the justice needs and challenges of this county and see how we can foster partnerships with other organisations. I call for the establishment of a County Action Plan bringing together the Judiciary, county government, the Children's Department and all relevant stakeholders to eliminate this vice," she said.
She added: "The Children's Services Department is also here because we have many issues involving the care and protection of children who are victims of offences such as defilement, cases that are on the rise. This is a societal problem that cannot be left to the Children's Department or the Judiciary alone. The people of Bungoma ought to understand that we all have a responsibility to protect and promote the rights of children."