Garissa elders warned against using maslah courts to resolve criminal cases

Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo has cautioned elders and residents against resolving defilement, rape and murder cases through the traditional maslah courts.

He said the traditional dispute resolution mechanism has turned out to be a great impediment in the war to end violence against women and girls and other crimes.

"Someone willingly commits a crime with hopes to walk scot-free under the informal courts where elders are mediating cases," he noted.

Speaking at a public baraza on security in Burburis in Garissa township, the county commissioner urged the community to forward cases of defilement, rape and murder to the Garissa law court for justice to be served.

He said in the informal courts where the community took the collective responsibility to compensate the victims, criminals were enjoying freedom and this would eventually escalate the crime rate.

He instructed chiefs and Nyumba Kumi elders to remain focused to ensure criminals are apprehended.

He also appealed to the religious leaders to continue preaching against the vices and play a leading role in reducing rampant cases of robbery with violence orchestrated by teenagers in Garissa town.

Mohamed further assured the locals that he would follow up on reported cases with the police and judicial system for a successful prosecution to instil confidence in the residents that justice is well served at the law courts.

The maslah system has recently been under criticism from government officials and human rights activists in Garissa who blamed the increased cases of violence on the traditional courts.