The Judiciary has today announced the temporary closure of the Milimani Law Courts after a member of staff tested positive for COVID-19.
They revealed that the past week, several members of their staff experienced symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 and one of them tested positive. The member of staff had physical contact with several others before testing positive.
This has required the leadership of the Judiciary in consultation with the leadership of the Milimani Law Courts and the Ministry of Health to suspend physical court operations. All members of staff at the Milimani Court will self-quarantine and thereafter get tested before resumption of physical operations.
Consequently, they have said that the Milimani Law Courts shall be closed for the next two weeks with effect from 30th July 2020. The Judiciary mentions that “extremely urgent matters” shall be dealt with on online platforms and respective heads of divisions and courts will issue directions on handling of matters that will be affected by the closure.
The Judiciary has seen one of the biggest digital transformations of any government entity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April, they started using email and video conferencing services to deliver pending judgments and rulings. Early this month, the Judiciary launched an e-Filing system that provides a platform for law firms, lawyers and non-lawyers to initiate and complete the process of filing cases online remotely. The system is used in Nairobi courts and they said that they have plans to roll this o ut to other parts of the country.
