Convicted sexual offenders will have their data permanently listed in an electronic register that will now guide employers and other stakeholders to shy away from them, Chief Justice Martha Koome has said.
The move comes barely a mother after a survey conducted by Kibera Court User Committee found that the cases of sexual and gender-based violence had increased at an alarming rate.
"We need a one-stop data portal for sexual offenders for easy access by the justice systems and all relevant authorities so that we no longer have to flip files that are remotely kept," the CJ said.
Koome was speaking on Monday during the launch of the electronic register for the sexual offenders at the Kibera law court in Nairobi county.
She emphasised that the database will ensure ease in access of the information of the offenders by relevant authorities.
The CJ further said that lack of a proper register has impeded strategies to establish a high prevalence zone so that members of the society can take precautionary measures.
According to Koome, the registered shall ensure that even after the release of the convicted sexual offenders, the information of their whereabouts, names and biometric data are deposited in the register for easy tracking.
The president of the apex court also called for the members of justice sectors to work in collaboration to ensure that they build a society, where children are shielded from harm, and survivors get solace.
"Once the register is launched, we will have the names, the biometric data of the convicted to track their whereabouts so that members society can know whom they are hosting and take precautionary measures where need be," Koome added.
According to Kibera court users committee representative Riechi Meroka, a total of 76 SGBV cases has been filed out of which only eight has been determined.
Meroka attribute the sluggish cause of justice to to lack of witnesses protection facilities, lack of faith in the judicial system and lack of minor friendly courts.
"Kibera law courts deserve specialised court to specially expedite SGBVs-related cases. This years in six months, Kibera have registered 76 case and only eight have come to their finality, we need to stretch the resources to help in speedy justice and do away with unnecessary adjournments," he said.
Kibera chief magistrate Ann Mwangi called on Kenyans to be on high alert on issues to do with GBV and report them on time.
Mwangi warned that going forward, strict measures will be put in place to save the boy child, GBV victims and the girl child.
