The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions today unveiled a groundbreaking initiative: a technology-enabled, child-friendly interview room.
The initiative will make it easier to record evidence from young victims ahead of time, eliminating secondary victimization and assuring accurate testimony.
In his remarks, the DPP stressed the importance of this program in providing children with a safe atmosphere free of intimidation, threats, and inducements.
The Center lays a foundation for testimony, recognizing the vulnerability of children due to age, trauma, level of maturity, and individual special needs.
The DPP urged judicial officers to embrace these advancements, emphasizing the innovation it bring to prosecutions.
Furthermore, the DPP affirmed his office's commitment to ensuring access to justice for every child by proactively establishing pre-trial rooms in Lamu, Kiambu, Makadara, Kibera, Ngong, Mombasa, Nakuru and Kisumu, with the support of UNODC.
This initiative aims to create a child-friendly criminal justice system, promoting fairness and protection.
Solicitor General Mr. Shadrack Mose underscored the responsibility of safeguarding vulnerable children by providing spaces where their voices can be heard without intimidation or stress.
He added that by incorporating pre-trial video recording, the center ensures the child's best interests are prioritized, enhancing public confidence in the justice system.
Lady Justice Teresia Matheka, a member of the NCAJ Special Taskforce on Children Matters, emphasized the adoption of trauma-centred approaches and forensic interviewing procedures at the Centre.
She highlighted the importance of accountability in evidence recording to preserve the dignity and rights of children throughout the trial process.
The United States of America Deputy Head of Mission in Nairobi, Marc Dillard, commended the ODPP for the initiative and encouraged the office to expand the idea to other parts of the country.
This pioneering initiative, developed with support from Lawyers without Borders (LWOB) is one of its kind in Africa and now paves the way for similar efforts across Africa, signalling a significant step towards protecting and empowering vulnerable children.