Luxury the hallmark of Kenya’s future courts
Photo | NATION CORRESPONDENT A design of Kenya’s new courts which architect Anthony Macharia came up with. It landed the first prize in a competition that was organised by the Judiciary.
By JEREMIAH KIPLANG’AT jkiplangat@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, May 29 2012 at 22:30
Posted Tuesday, May 29 2012 at 22:30
Kenya’s future courts will abound in comfort, luxury and elegance if a modern plan commissioned by the Judiciary comes to pass.
A restaurant, automatic teller machines, gardens, information technology rooms equipped with modern equipment and an adequate lobby for users will be part and parcel of the courts planned to be built in each county.
A roof garden and photovoltaic tiles would mark the look from the top. The roof tiles, incorporating solar panels, would generate power to be used in the courts.
There would still be extra space outside the building for the public to stroll around as they wait for their turn in the courts. The second floor would also have a spacious boardroom for court officers.
Traditional home setting
The design resembles a traditional home setting where gardens of fruit trees or vegetables are set up around the building.
However, with the future court setting, it would be a grass garden surrounded by short trees. At the entrance would be two statues of the same size to literally welcome attendants to the home of justice.
Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said on Tuesday the Judiciary was willing to heed what the public had asked them to do — to ensure the courts maintained the dignity of their users.
He added that courtrooms were supposed to be “spacious, well ventilated, with clear signage, with clean separate washrooms and well lit”.
Dr Mutunga spoke when he received the spectacular two-floor design of the new courts at the Supreme Court premises in Nairobi.
It will be fine-tuned to be the future plan of the local courts. It was drawn by architect Anthony Macharia, a former University of Nairobi student who graduated with a First Class Honours degree in 2006.
Dr Mutunga praised the design, which bears the hallmarks of modernity and creativity, saying it matched the dream court envisaged by the Judiciary.
The CJ also unveiled an interactive website www.judiciary.go.ke and a short text message number 5834 open to the public to channel complaints, queries or service requests.
Mr Macharia came top among an array of participants who took part in the Judiciary Prototype Competition held from February 22 to March 16.
Participants were asked to present their dream courts, taking into consideration several factors, including ease of accessibility by all the people, especially the disabled, environmental preservation, internal comfort, durability and use of locally made materials to maintain it.
“The present courts are too colonial. We need a fresh court system that reflects the new Kenya brought about by the new Constitution,” said an elated Mr Macharia on Tuesday after he received a dummy cheque of Sh500,000 for his design.
The architect, who is in his early 30s, conceptualised the model in less than two weeks before drafting in 3D in another two weeks.
“It was not a difficult job. Being an architect, I found it easier to come up with the concept and put it down in such a short time,” said Mr Macharia.
He added that the court system should reflect the aspirations of Kenyans, not of colonial masters.
“I thought of coming up with something reflective of Kenyan values,” said Mr Macharia, adding that the statues showed that justice was equal for all despite age, height or any other physical differences.
Chief High Court Registrar Gladys Shollei applauded the winning model, saying the ultimate structure would be more spectacular when built than the present Supreme Court building.
A group of designers, Tolk Team, came second and won Sh300,000, while Ms Margaret Ng’endo and Team were in third position and won Sh200,000.
The top three designs would be merged and used in constructing new courts, including the High Courts in each of the 47 counties.
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