Koome Flags Off Tree Planting in Uasin Gishu
Koome underscored the Kenyan judiciary’s distinction as the first in Africa to establish a dedicated land and environment court, an initiative spearheaded under the 2010 Constitution
Chief Justice Martha Koome plants a tree at the Eldoret court on Sunday.
Chief Justice Martha Koome Sunday officially flagged of the planting of one million trees in Uasin Gishu County set for Monday, November 13, 2023.
This tree planting exercise is a significant component of the national tea planting initiative, which aims to bolster forest cover in Kenya. Chief Justice Koome was joined by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, Justice Reuben Nyakundi, the presiding judge of the Eldoret High Court, and Chief magistrate Dennis Mikoyan of the Eldoret Court.
During her address at the Eldoret law court , Chief Justice Koome commended the Administration of Justice Service (AJS) for its unwavering efforts in addressing the backlog of cases. She acknowledged the substantial caseload of over 18,000 cases at the chief magistrates court and emphasized the AJS’s implementation of various initiatives to reduce the backlog. These initiatives include increasing the number of judges and magistrates, building of extra courts at the sub county level as well as leveraging technology to streamline court processes.
Chief Justice Koome further lauded the Kenyan judiciary for its pioneering role in promoting environmental justice. She underscored the Kenyan judiciary’s distinction as the first in Africa to establish a dedicated land and environment court, an initiative spearheaded under the 2010 Constitution. This specialized court adjudicates cases pertaining to land ownership, environmental protection, and natural resource management.
The establishment of the land and environment court has garnered widespread acclaim from environmentalists and legal experts, who recognize it as a pivotal step towards safeguarding Kenya’s environment. The court has already presided over a considerable number of cases, and its rulings have contributed significantly to clarifying the legal framework governing environmental issues.
The Chief Justice’s commitment underscores the Kenyan judiciary’s unwavering commitment to environmental protection and its dedication to ensuring equal access to justice for all Kenyans.
Cabinet Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Simon Chelugui will lead the planting of one million trees in Uasin Gishu County on Monday,The tree-planting initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to increase forest cover in Kenya from 7% to 10% by 2030
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