82 prisoners freed from Coast jails amid coronavirus crisis

Mombasa Law Courts Deputy Registrar Christine Ogweno during an online court session on March 27, 2020. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

This brings to 121 the total number of prisoners set free at the Coast in the last two weeks.

Eighty two more prisoners were released from jails at the Coast Tuesday in a decongestion plan triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mombasa Law Courts Deputy Registrar Christine Ogweno said the prisoners had case files in Kwale and Shanzu.

This brings to 121 the total number of prisoners set free at the Coast in the last two weeks. 

On Tuesday, Ms Ogweno said 13 prisoners have been placed under probation and seven others had their jail terms reduced after revisions by judges.

The revision of jail and bond terms is being done via video conferencing by judges and magistrates from their chambers to curb the spread of coronavirus.

In civil cases, litigants are now required to scan and send all matters under certificate of urgency and time-bound pleadings to an email provided by the court.

In the emails, litigants are expected to provide case details such as number and the court station section.

All communication on various matters such as directions on already filed court cases and review of bond terms are being sent via email.