This archive report was first published on 24 April 2020.
Kenya's Chief Justice David Maraga has issued a stern warning to judges and magistrates who are using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to skip duty.
On April 24, 2020, Maraga sent an internal memo to the judges, expressing his shock at learning that some of them were claiming to be working only on Thursdays, despite the partial shutdown of courts to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Maraga directed that all pending judgments and rulings must be written and delivered by May 30, 2020, and that judges and magistrates should send him monthly returns of their work done, effective from the following Thursday.
He also instructed them to seek assistance from the Judiciary's ICT department if they have challenges with technology, and to work from their chambers if they do not have Wi-Fi at home.
Maraga's memo came after the Judiciary staff, including judges and magistrates, expressed reluctance to return to work, citing concerns about their health and wellbeing.
However, following Maraga's directive, Milimani High Court Criminal Division presiding judge Jessie Lessit has told all staff, including judges, to report back to work on Monday.
Chief Registrar Anne Amadi had previously written to the Ministry of Health, urging it to audit courtrooms and provide guidelines for safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
