National Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms

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The National Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms (NCCJR)

The National Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms (NCCJR) today held deliberations with the Kenya Defence Forces on sector reforms in the criminal justice system. The Committee chaired by High Court Judge Grace Ngenye met with a KDF team led by Army Commander Lt General Robert Kibochi who briefed it on areas in the Court Martial system that require reforms. Justice Ngenye emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms in the way cases are handled in disputes and disciplinary related matters involving members of the disciplined forces to ensure that they access justice just like members of the public. The NCCJR has in the past two days held similar meetings with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights-KNHCR and the management of the Mathari Mental Hospital with a view to establishing collaboration in areas of reform in the criminal justice system. Tomorrow, the Committee will hold deliberations with the Kenya Prisons Service and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA)

The National Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms-NCCJR chaired by Justice Grace Ngenye visited the Attorney General to introduce itself and discuss areas of collaboration in reforming the criminal justice system. 

 

The National Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms (NCCJR) was launched to spearhead comprehensive review and reform of Kenya’s Criminal Justice system in the Country. The committee is expected to review the criminal justice system in Kenya and make legal, policy, institutional, operational, and administrative recommendations necessary for better functioning of the criminal justice sub-sector.

The committee chaired by High Court Judge Grace Ngenye is expected to oversee the full implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Criminal Justice system in Kenya: An Audit. It will examine all aspects of criminal justice reform including but not limited to arrest, investigation, policing, prosecution, adjudication, and sentencing including non-custodial sentences, incarceration, aftercare and re-entry.

 

Terms of reference

Review the criminal justice system in Kenya and make legal, policy, institutional, operational, and administrative recommendations necessary for better functioning of the criminal justice sub-sector.

Establish and design mechanisms to ensure that Kenya’s criminal justice system operates in a manner consistent and compliant with the provisions of the Constitution, 2010.

Identify legal, institutional, administrative and financial barriers that impede the efficient functioning of the criminal justice system.

Identify areas of inter-agency collaboration and cooperation that would make the criminal justice system effective in serving members of the public.

Identify and review laws and policies that criminalize petty offences and make recommendations on their declassification and reclassification.

Review Kenya’s penal laws.

In consultation with the NCAJ agencies, develop, operationalize and oversee the execution of a comprehensive implementation framework/strategy/plan of the CJS Audit Report.

Undertake any study or survey to deepen and expand understanding on Kenya’s criminal justice system.

Conduct sensitization sessions among relevant stakeholders and the public on the contents of the audit report and engage them on the criminal justice reform initiative.

Engage other relevant state and/or non-state agencies in realizing the desired results of the audit findings implementation.

 

 

 

 

Composition of the committee

Institutional Representative Name
Judiciary (Chairperson) Hon. Lady Justice Grace Ngenye
National Police Service Stanley Cheruiyot
Office of Director of Public Prosecutions  Jacob Ondari
Kenya Prison Service SSP Miriam Nyamwamu
NCAJ/Judiciary Duncan Okello
Kenya Law Reform Commission Joash Dache
Probation and Aftercare Service Linnet Vunovo Okwara
Department of Children Service  Justus Muthoka
Independent Policing Oversight Authority  Vincent Kiptoon
Commission on Administrative Justice  Edward Okello
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Comm. Suzanne Chivusia
Kenya Human Rights Commission  Davis Malombe
Law Society of Kenya Wilfred Ngunjiri Nderitu
National Legal Aid Caroline Amondi Oloo
National Crime Research Centre Vincent Opondo
Witness Protection Agency  Joel Omari
Kenya Defence Forces (Military Marshal Court) Brig. Kenneth Okoki Dindi
Ministry of Health (Mathare Mental Hospital) Dr. Ngugi Gatere
International Commission of Jurists Edigah Kavulavu
Federation of Women Lawyers  Edna Arati
The Cradle Lavina Achieng Oluoch 
Council of Governors Secretariat  Eugune Lawi
Legal Resources Foundation Sylvia Yiantet Kooke
Judiciary Training Institute  Dr. Steve Ouma
Resources Oriented Development Initiatives David Ngari Nyaga
Judiciary Lady Justice Rachael Ngetich
Judiciary Hon. Francis Andayi
Judiciary Hon. Christine Njagi
Immigrations Alfred Abuya Omangi
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Regina Muriuki
Directorate of Criminal Investigation SSP Michael Wiso
Judiciary Dominic Nyambane
   
JOINT SECRETARIES
Office of the Attorney General Elizabeth Ng’ang’a
National Council on the Administration of Justice Irene Omari
Legal Resources Foundation  Lenson Njogu

 

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