By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
Environment and Land Court Principal Judge, Justice Oscar Angote with other judges listened to presentations during the commissioning of the Working Group of the Environment and Planning Division of ELC.
The Registrar of the Environment and Land Court, Rose Makungu pledged her unwavering support to the Environment and Planning Working Group.
“I stand ready to provide technical assistance, facilitate access to legal resources, and offer guidance in navigating the intricacies of environment and planning issues and court processes,” Rose Makungu said.
The Environment and Planning Working Group has a role to play in protecting the environment and the launch adds numbers and voice that land use must be planned and the environment protected.
“We as EP division acknowledge that the law should not only punish but it should educate and inform each to play our roles singularly and jointly on matters environmental protection, climate change adaption and planning our spaces,” said Justice Anne Omollo Presiding Judge, Environment and Planning Division
Attorney’s General Representative Joseph Motari said that the AG’s office looks forward to supporting the launch of the Working Division and it also created a Working Group within its civil Division in line with that of the Environment and Planning Division.
President of the Law Society of Kenya, Faith Odhiambo assured support for the success of the Working Group, stating that its success is not just for the Judiciary, but for the entire country.
She asked judges to ensure that the people of Kenya understand the international protocols that are signed regarding environmental matters.
“The judiciary, through the establishment of specialized courts like the Environment and Land Court, further strengthens our legal framework. These courts are dedicated to handling environmental disputes, ensuring timely and effective resolution of conflicts that arise from environmental degradation and land use issues,” Faith Odhiambo said.
“The Environment and Planning Division within this court structure is a testament to our commitment, as a country, to integrating environmental considerations into judicial processes, providing a specialized forum for environmental litigation and dispute resolution,” she added.