Kiambu County has given a major boost to the Judiciary by donating 10 acres of land for the expansion of the Thika Law Courts. This land was previously part of the 695-acre parcel surrendered by multinational fruit processor Delmonte Ltd. last year.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi made the announcement during an open-day court forum organised by the Thika High Court, the Environmental and Land Court, and the Chief Magistrate’s Court to sensitise the public on the services offered by the Judiciary and stakeholders.
Wamatangi emphasized that the donated land would enable the construction of modern facilities to improve service delivery. “I offered 10 acres on the Delmonte land for modern courts. Although it may be far from town, this space will be crucial as we plan to elevate Thika to a smart city,” he stated.
Court officials, led by Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo, highlighted the limitations caused by the current courthouse’s inadequate space.
The court serves a growing jurisdiction, encompassing Thika, Gatundu, and Ruiru sub-counties.
Justice Florence Muchemi, presiding judge of the newly established Thika High Court, called for an additional judge to handle the increasing caseload.
While welcoming the land donation, Principal High Court Judge Eric Ogolla, representing Chief Justice Martha Koome, emphasized the need for increased budgetary allocation for the Judiciary.
Despite advancements like e-filing that have improved service delivery, Ogolla argued that current funding (Sh24.64 billion for 2024-2025) remains insufficient.
This expansion with the donated land signifies a positive step towards addressing space constraints and improving the Thika Law Courts’ capacity.
