European Government Donates Laptops to Remand Children

By Shadrack Nyakoe

The European government on Thursday 7 handed over laptops for children remand home seeking to promote justice among children amidst Covid-19 pandemic.

The event was presided over by the CS Labour and Social Protection Simon Chelugui in collaboration with the European Ambassador Simon Mordue at the NSSF building.

In attendance was the United Nations Office on drugs and crime East African region rep Dr.Amardo Philip De Andres special taskforce on children matters who doubles up as judge of court of appeal, Justice Martha Koome.

The laptops accelerate access to justice for children minimizing time the latter spend in remanded homes as witness, victims or as child offenders.

The laptops will also enable 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 kilometres from remand home to the court.

CS Chelugui stated that technology improve efficiency and effectiveness in hearing children matters.

He said that children matters require a multi-sectoral approach that calls for joined efforts of the various children protection partners both Government and civil Society.

He also applauded 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.

He also thanked Amb. Simon Mordue for financial support demonstrated in donating the laptops.

“The Ministry of labour has established fourteen children remand across the nation including Nairobi, Malindi, Eldoret and Murang’a and the laptops will be distributed accordingly. We are committed to ensure the laptops are used for the right purpose which is the virtual hearing of children cases,” stated CS Chelugui.

He also appealed to all citizens to serve the child and protect the child.