A new law court has been established at Kamwangi town in Gatundu North constituency, an initiative that is part of the Judiciary’s efforts to promote access to justice.

The first-ever law court in the constituency was put up by area NG-CDF at a cost of Sh10 million and will serve the residents of Gatundu North and its environs who currently have to travel to Thika and Gatundu town to access justice.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Gatundu Chief Magistrate Daniel Musyoka said the new court will ease the backlog of cases and help bring justice to marginalized groups in the area.

He noted that residents of Gatundu North have been grappling with succession issues which he assured will be amicably heard and determined at the new facility.

Musyoka revealed that the facility will be fully staffed in due course but a magistrate will be deployed from next week to begin handling various matters.

“In fact, we have already organized to have some matters begin being heard from this court. As from Tuesday next week, one magistrate will be reporting here,” said Musyoka.

Establishment of the new court of law is part of the judiciary’s vision to have at least a resident magistrate’s court in every Sub County.

Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia who spearheaded the handover ceremony said the facility will relieve his constituents of huge expenditure spent travelling long distances in search for justice.

Over the years, residents are forced to walk kilometers away from home in search for justice in Thika and Gatundu town, challenges he said will now be a thing of the past.

The facility, Kururia added, will spur social-economic development in the area as it will trigger establishment of law firms and financial institutions which will develop the area.

“Completion of this project is a significant step in the fight against crime, drunkenness and drug abuse that has troubled this region over the years. We are certain that this new dawn will attract more investments that will better the livelihood of our people,” said Kururia.

Locals who spoke to journalists expressed optimism that the facility will relieve them of the challenges of going away from home to access justice.

They called on the judiciary to begin delivering justice expeditiously to them and pledged to cooperate with them to facilitate administration of justice to all.

The new building consists of two court rooms, a major registry, separate holding facilities for men, women and juveniles complete with toilets, magistrates’ offices and a lounge.