New court opened in Khwisero to end congestion in Kakamega, Butere

The Judiciary has opened a new law court in Khwisero subcounty, ending years of long-distance travel in search of justice by residents.

The court at Khwisero subcounty headquarters returns decades after the African court that was established by colonialists was relocated to Butere in the early 1970s.

Court of Appeal judge and National Steering Committee on Mediation Justice chairperson Aggrey Muchelule said the new facility has moved judicial services closer to the people.

“The court will reduce the backlog of cases, especially land succession cases in Butere and Kakamega law courts and move court mediation closer to the people,” he said.

The judge spoke after attending the inaugural sitting and the official launch of the court mediation registry at the newly established facility.

Justice Muchelule said many criminal cases collapsed in Kakamega and Butere law courts because litigants give up mobilising witnesses to court due to the high transport costs.

He said residents will be sensitised on land succession processes to enable them file succession cases to facilitate transfer of ownership of land they occupy from their deceased relatives.

 MP Christopher Aseka said the opening of the court is a significant step towards strengthening judicial services in the constituency.

“The court will enhance access to justice by ensuring legal services is closer, more efficient and timely while reducing the financial and logistical burden of travelling long distances to seek judicial redress,” he said.

The occasion was graced by High Court judges Francis Andayi, Boaz Olao and Justice Bett, Kakamega law courts presiding judge Annet Nyukuri, Butere law courts senior principal magistrate Edwin Wasike and the new Khwisero law courts senior principal magistrate Anjeline Odawo.

The legislator encouraged residents to embrace court mediation alternative to resolve disputes that involve relatives and neighbours, adding the process promotes peaceful coexistence of the accused and litigant.

Aseka said cases of defilement, rape and incest are on the rise in Khwisero.

“I’m appealing to our people to report these crimes to the police so they can be prosecuted in court rather than resorting to resolution of such cases in kangaroo courts,” he said.

He reiterated his continued commitment to institutional development and effective service delivery.

Nyukuri said the court mediation process does not include defilement, rape or incest cases.

“The jurisdiction of the magistrate, who has been posted here is higher and she will be able to hear most cases and only a few will reach Kakamega,” she said.

Residents welcomed the return of the court, saying relocation of the initial court to Butere bred insecurity.

“When a court is near you, it tends to give confidence to the people because they know the if a criminal suspect is arrested, he will be able to walk witnesses to court without cost to help bail the suspects,” resident Lawrence Oyando said.