ADVOKS GLOBAL · KENYA
Children Act
93. Sitting of Children’s Court
Edition: 2022-12-31 · In force
93. Sitting of Children’s Court
(1)A Children’s Court shall sit at such times and in such locations as the Chief Justice may, by notice in the Gazette, determine.(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), a children’s Court shall not sit at the same time, or in the same Courtroom at which the sittings of the Court, other than the sittings of the children’s Court, are held:Provided that any Magistrates court may be converted into a Children court for the purpose of conducting proceedings under this Act.(3)The Courtroom or premises at which the sittings of the children’s Court are held shall be suitably designated and reasonably equipped to facilitate—(a)the provision of the individual needs of children, having regard to their state of health, age and gender;(b)the provision of such services as may be required to meet the special needs of children in need of care, including children with disabilities; and(c)the highest attainable standards of hygiene, sanitation and comfort.(4)No person other than the following may attend any proceedings or be present at any sitting of a Children’s Court—(a)the judicial officer, members and other officers of the Court;(b)a children’s officer duly appointed by the Secretary to assist the children’s Court in its proceedings;(c)parents or guardians of the child involved in the proceedings;(d)any person directly or indirectly involved in the matter before the Court, including complainants, witnesses and any professional required to submit any report on a child to whom the proceedings relate;(e)a duly accredited journalist or duly registered media professional; or(f)such other persons as the Court may authorize to be present.(5)Nothing in this section shall prevent the Court from holding its sittings in camera to the exclusion of any person mentioned in paragraphs (c), (d) and (e).