The Law Society of Kenya has proposed creation of special Plea Courts on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays, to prevent the holding of citizens beyond the 24 hours time frame provided for in the Constitution.
This proposal comes after the push and pull after the arrest of Lawyer Tom Ojienda. What has been happening in the country is that if arrested on Friday, one appears in court on Monday.
A section of Kenyans were against the Friday arrests; a debate that for a long time seemed to be brushed off.
Several political leaders have recently been jumping in to agree with Kenyans that spending a weekend in a cell is no joke.
Well, some of these leaders only felt the heat of the conversation after top officials faced the same wrath.
This proposal by LSK has resulted to several reactions online with some suggesting that before the Special Plea Court, they should try advocating for reforms at the Police Cells.
According to some Kenyans, this proposal is not timely and they feel that it is in bad faith. ” The rich would pay bail what about the poor?” a man online says
Kenyans raised concern saying that when it was the common mwananchi going through the ‘Kamata Friday’ no one really stepped in yet now that arrests of state officials have intensified, they law society seems to see the need.
When a common mwananchi was being arrested on Fridays,we didn't see you complaining but when your own is arrested you seriously think on how to correct that…… Enemy of the people
— Two Forty One (@PhoroPaul) January 12, 2019
It is not all negative as some have welcomed the idea and urged LSK to have a team of advocates who will follow up until it is implemented.
Some have argued that a change in law, processes and procedures affect all Kenyans and therefore there is a need to be objective.
Vice President Law Society of Kenya; Harriet Chiggai says that lawyers should not be arrested for representing their clients and getting paid for it ; not unless there is compelling reasons for arrest no Kenyan should be subjected to such treatment.