Lawyer Petitions JSC Over Disability Access Gaps at Milimani Law Courts

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Concerns over persistent accessibility challenges at Milimani Law Courts have prompted a formal petition urging the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to address infrastructural deficiencies that hinder access to justice for persons living with disabilities

In a letter to the Commission, Advocate Danstan Omari highlighted what he described as serious and ongoing barriers within the court complex, which disadvantage individuals with mobility and visual impairments

The petition alleges that these shortcomings undermine constitutional guarantees on equality, dignity, and access to justice

Key issues raised include the absence of functional ramps and lifts, particularly in the Magistrates’ Criminal Division and courtrooms located on the first and upper floors

“The lack of such facilities effectively locks out wheelchair users and others who rely on mobility aids, affecting not only members of the public but also judicial officers and court staff living with disabilities,” Omari stated

The petition also points to missing handrails and tactile guiding rails for persons with visual impairments, warning that the current setup poses a serious safety risk. Several falls and injuries have reportedly occurred due to these deficiencies

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Omari called on the JSC to prioritise infrastructural upgrades across the Criminal, Commercial, and Family Divisions of the Milimani Law Courts, advocating for remedial measures during the ongoing judicial recess to minimise disruption to court operations

He expressed confidence that the Commission would act urgently, emphasising the need to safeguard the rights, safety, and dignity of all court users