CS Duale urges judicial Institutions to help enforce environmental laws

Speaking on Wednesday at the launch of the "Greening The Justice System: Framework, Theories, Elements, and Practice Imperatives" Report at a Nairobi hotel, Duale noted that the environmental challenges facing the country were largely due to weak enforcement of existing laws.

"Together, we can build a justice system that not only upholds the rule of law but also protects our environment for the benefit of all Kenyans," CS Duale said.

At the launch, which was attended by Chief Justice Martha Koome, the Environment Cabinet Secretary assured that the Ministry would collaborate more with justice sector institutions in the enforcement of environmental laws.

"The Ministry of Environment will continue to collaborate with the justice sector to monitor the implementation of the sector’s mitigation and adaptation actions and to coordinate reporting and verification of the corresponding emissions reductions and adaptation benefits towards the national targets in fulfilling Kenya's international commitments on climate change.

"The Ministry also commits to identifying policy gaps that hinder the attainment of environmental and climate justice, in an effort to bridge these gaps," CS Duale said.

Correctional Services PS Salome Beacco stated that the Kenya Prisons Service had a target of propagating 2.2 million seedlings annually to support the 15 billion National Tree Growing Programme.

While reiterating her state department's commitment to the Kenya Kwanza flagship tree-growing initiative, the PS noted that the 13-acre Ruiru Prisons tree nursery was the largest such facility in the country.

Other speakers at the launch included Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, Chief Justice Martha Koome, among others.

In her keynote address, the Chief Justice assured Kenyans of the judiciary's support for the country's environmental conservation agenda through the ongoing "Greening Kenya's Justice System" programme.

The "Greening The Justice System: Framework, Theories, Elements, and Practice Imperatives" Report is the outcome of a study commissioned by the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ).