United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

The UNODC Regional Office in East Africa (ROEA)

Equipment Handover Ceremony on the Occasion of the International Nelson Mandela Day; to Digitalize the Justice Sector 

Nairobi (Kenya), 16 July, 2021 - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery (PLEAD) marked and commemorated the Nelson Mandela International Day by making a difference in Kenya, specifically in the justice sector.

Through PLEAD and with funding from the European Union (EU), the UNODC commemorated Mandela Day day by officially handing over various equipment to criminal justice institutions to support their work and facilitate virtual hearing of the case and electronic case management.

This handover ceremony promoted Nelson Mandela’s legacy through raising awareness about the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and the situation of prisoners and those working in prisons around the world.

The ceremony took place after a special National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) Council Meeting where Hon. Martha Koome, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, held deliberations with justice actors in a bid to enhance efficiency in the criminal justice sector.

The ceremony was presided by H.E. Ms. Katrin Hagemann, the EU Chargée d’Affaires a.i, Hon. Martha Koome, Chief Justice and Chairperson of the NCAJ, Mr. Noordin Haji, Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms. Charity Kagwi, UNODC Head of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, Mr. Hilary Nzioki Mutyambai, Inspector General Police and development partners among others.

“We are here to commemorate this day by formally handing over equipment to criminal justice institutions in Kenya that will go a long way in easing the access to, and administration of justice. It is particularly to support the efforts to digitalize the justice system. This occasion demonstrates our commitment to sustaining justice chain operations.” the EU Ambassador, H.E. Ms. Katrin Hagemann noted.

Through PLEAD, and with the technical support of the UNODC and funding from the European Union (EU), provision of a large quantity of technical equipment, 444 laptops, 166 printers, 37 scanners, various furniture and 12 video conferencing devices to the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Witness Protection Agency, the Probation and Aftercare Service as well as to the National Police Service National Council on the Administration of Justice, partners, was made possible, to enhance the effectiveness in service delivery.

Ms. Katrin Hagemann mentioned that the EU sought synergies with UNODC global and regional programmes implemented in Kenya and externally with other development partners. She applauded and appreciated the robust efforts by the Government of Kenya in strengthening efficiency in the delivery of judicial services, enhancing coordination within the criminal justice sector and widening the use and application of alternatives to imprisonment. 

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Hon. Martha Koome acknowledged the support of the EU and UNODC through PLEAD, and noted that the support enabled the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) to deliver services effectively to the Mwananchi. “So many Kenyans have been touched and benefitted through the PLEAD Programme,” she said.

The equipment will be instrumental in realizing the implementation of the Nelson Mandela Rules by enabling the decongestion of prisons and expediting and enhancing access to justice for pre-trial detainees, enhancing the protection of at-risk witnesses, and in promoting e-justice in the post-COVID-19 digital era. The equipment was identified and procured based on a needs assessment which was conducted by UNODC to identify and resolve bottlenecks in the criminal justice chain.

“The UNODC has continuously upscaled its support to its partners including strengthening the overall response coordination mechanisms to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Said Ms. Kagwi. UNODC Regional Head of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, Ms. Charity Kagwi reiterated UNODC’s support which aims to promote efficiency in the administration of justice and alternatives to imprisonment. She said that the PLEAD Programme offers hope for the ordinary Mwananchi who, through which, they will continuously experience enhanced service delivery. 

For more information on the International Nelson Mandela Day and the Nelson Mandela Rules, please click below:

KTN Bottomline Africa: Nelson Mandela Day, Interview Part 1:  youtu.be/00yXIcaVdwA

KTN Bottomline Africa: Nelson Mandela Day, Interview Part 2:  youtu.be/Pm0ciDofEbI

For more information, please contact: 

UN Office on Drugs and Crime –  unodc-plead@un.org 

Website: www.unodc.org/easternafrica/plead