An article by News Day dated July 22 claims that the Makadara Law Courts closed indefinitely after staffers tested positive for COVID-19.
Background
On March 13, the Kenyan Ministry of Health announced one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nairobi. This was followed by suspension of all public gatherings, meetings and events.
On March 16, operations were completely grounded at the Milimani law courts in Nairobi with all staff being directed to go home in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak in the country. This was followed by the issuing of a statement on Justice sector operations in the wake of the COVID -19 pandemic by The Judiciary on April 1.
Verification
A search for ‘Makadara Law Courts closure’ shows that on July 22, the judiciary tweeted a statement indicating that ‘Makadara Court has temporarily closed for 14 days following the identification of 2 coronavirus cases.’
MAKADARA COURT CLOSED FOR 14 DAYS pic.twitter.com/E0yfPLizvT
— The Judiciary Kenya (@Kenyajudiciary) July 22, 2020
From the statement, The Judiciary’s chief registrar, Anne Amadi, ordered court staff to proceed on self-quarantine and that the premises remain closed for 2 weeks to ‘allow disinfection of the court premises and seeking of medical attention of the staff members who may have been affected.’
On July 19, Chief Justice David Maraga also posted a statement on the closure of the Main Court Building, the City Court and Tononoka Children’s court in Mombasa after 11 staffers tested positive for COVID-19.
STATEMENT ON CLOSURE OF COURTS IN MOMBASA pic.twitter.com/8HdhyTnjSF
— David Maraga (@dkmaraga) June 19, 2020
Verdict
The Makadara Law courts closure is temporary. The headline is misleading.
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