DP Gachagua urges courts to embrace environmental conservation sentence

Gachagua, while closing the third symposium on Greening Judiciaries in Africa noted that majority of petty offenders are not able to raise the fines imposed on them.

"Diverse research shows that detentions and prisons in most African countries hold more than thrice their capacity. In others, more than half of the detainees are petty offenders. Petty offences are punishable by a fine, jail term or both. Most of these people are hustlers- in other words, they may not raise the fines," he said. 

While noting his experience in court, arrest and prosecution Gachagua noted that Kenya is committed to environmental justice. 

"We count on the Judiciary to issue precedence-setting judgements. Such judgements will also inform new laws or reviews thereof, for the benefit of the people," Gachagua noted. 

He also urged the public to participate in the proposed amendments to the climate change Act.