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{
    "id": 587799,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/587799/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 69,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Waiganjo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2644,
        "legal_name": "John Muriithi Waiganjo",
        "slug": "john-muriithi-waiganjo"
    },
    "content": "If you look at the objects of this piece of legislation, it clearly says that the main objective is to facilitate judicial service. It does not say only to facilitate judicial services but that, such service has to be just, expeditious, proportionate and accessible. Therefore, this Bill is in line with Article 232 of the Constitution which refers to values and principles of public service. It clearly states that the jurisdiction that is given to those courts must conform and comply with Article 232 of the Constitution. Those values include standards because our courts have to have the highest standards. It also refers to the efficiency of our Magistrates’ Courts. To make them efficient, we have to pass this piece of legislation. It also talks about accountability, transparency and people-driven issues. That is to say that it has to involve people. So, what we are saying is that by passing this piece of legislation, we are trying to decongest the High Court by giving more jurisdictions to our subordinate courts. For instance, if you look at Section 7 of this Bill, you will realise that most of the matters that were moving to the High Court will now be ventilated and filed in the subordinate courts because, previously, the Chief Magistrates’ Court would only handle matters of pecuniary jurisdiction of only Kshs7 million. This means that if you had a claim of over Kshs7million, then you had to go to the High Court. You can imagine how many claims are of over Ksh7 million. Therefore, this Bill now states that a Chief Magistrate’s pecuniary jurisdiction has now been enhanced from Kshs7 million to Ksh20 million. It means that even a person in the village does not need to come to the High Court to file a succession case where the estate of the deceased is Kshs20 million and below. That means a huge chunk of litigation that revolves around our High Courts relating to matters of pecuniary jurisdiction of Kshs20 million and below will now not go to the High Court. Equally, a Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court was handling pecuniary jurisdiction of only Kshs5million. This Bill has enhanced that jurisdiction to Kshs15million. The Principal Magistrate’s Court was handling matters of Kshs4 million and now it is Kshs10 million. If you look at the Senior--- (Microphone went off) The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}