Residents petition Chief Justice Koome to establish court in Rangwe

Rangwe residents have petitioned Chief Justice Martha Koome to have a court established in the area.

The residents argued that establishing a court in Rangwe town will make it easy for them to get justice.

The residents handed over the letter to Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo to take it to CJ Koome.

According to Gogo establishing a court in the area will enhance judicial services in the area.

“Some judicial officers have been here to conduct needs assessments. We are hoping the process will be fast-tracked to enable residents get justice,” Gogo said. 

According to the MP, public participation has been done and the general public wants the establishment of a court in Rangwe.

Having a court will promote the establishment of other institutions including banks, they said.

“The court in Rangwe will improve security and attract the establishment of a substantive bank,” she said.

 Access to justice is still a challenge in some regions in Homa Bay as residents have to travel over long distances to attend court sessions.

The county has courts in Homa Bay Town, Ndhiwa, Oyugis and Mbita.

Litigants from Kabondo Kasipul, Suba South, Karachuonyo and Rangwe have to seek judicial services in neighbouring constituencies. 

It becomes expensive for most of them when they spend money travelling to the courtrooms.

Most cases from Rangwe are handled at Homa Bay Law Courts.

Gogo said that justifies why there should be a court in her constituency.

Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan said they received a request from residents for the government to look for a place where a court should be established in Rangwe.

 “A team of land officials will be sent to seek public opinion about the establishment of a law court. Court is one of the institutions that are required in Rangwe,” Lilan said.