Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya pushes High Court judges to protect women and children

avdeltanews@gmail.com

High Court judges must act decisively to safeguard vulnerable women and children, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Ms Winfridah Mokaya, said during the 2026 High Court Leaders Conference in Naivasha.

Ms Mokaya praised judges for their resilience and dedication despite heavy workloads.

She emphasized that justice must be not only delivered but also experienced by those seeking protection and redress.

“Courts must respond effectively to the needs of vulnerable populations. The High Court has a critical mandate to uphold rights where it matters most,” she said.

Under the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) Blueprint, the Judiciary is rolling out reforms to make justice more people-centred.

Key initiatives include recruiting legal researchers to support judges and adding 23 new vehicles to the High Court fleet, with 10 more expected soon.

Ms Mokaya highlighted welfare milestones, including the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Act, ensuring judges retire with dignity and independence.

She assured that all court-mandated benefits will be implemented transparently, within available resources.

She acknowledged budget constraints but called on judges to remain steadfast, maintain integrity, and protect public trust.

“The strength of the Judiciary lies not only in its decisions but in how justice is experienced by the people,” she said.

The conference also focused on protecting women and children in legal processes.

Ms Mokaya urged judges to continuously reflect on institutional systems and ensure they meet the urgent needs of vulnerable groups.