BY SHADRACK NYAKOE
The European Union on Thursday handed over laptops to children in remand homes.
The EU said its seeking to promote justice among children amidst Covid-19 pandemic.
The event was presided over by Labour CS Simon Chelugui and EU Ambassador to Kenya Simon Mordue at the NSSF building.
In attendance were the United Nations Office on drugs and crime East African region representative Dr Amardo Philip De Andres, a special taskforce head on children matters and Judge of court of appeal, Justice Martha Koome.
The laptops accelerate access to justice for children minimizing time they spend in remand homes as witness, victims or as child offenders.
The laptops will also enable get evidence in a private and secluded environment in absence of the perpetrator.
Laptops will reduce the costs and inconvenience that maybe incurred when a child victim or offender travel many kilometers from remand home to the court.
CS Chelugui said technology brings efficiency and effectiveness in hearing children matters.
He said that children require a multi-sectoral approach that calls for joined efforts of the various stake holders.
He also applauded the Special Taskforce which is chaired by Justice Martha Koome that identified gaps and challenges that children in the justice system experience.
Justice Koome has been conducting ‘children services weeks’ in an effort to reduce backlog of children cases in courts and adoption of the of November as the Annual Service month for children matters.
She thanked Ambassador Simon Mordue for financial support and the laptops.
“The Ministry of labour has established fourteen children remand centers across the nation including Nairobi, Malindi, Eldoret and Murang’a. The laptops will be distributed equally. We are committed to ensure the laptops are used for the right purpose which is the virtual hearing of children cases,” said Chelugui.
He also appealed to Kenyans to serve and protect children.
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