Unmarried Magistrates Should Not Handle Childrens’ Cases

Members of Parliament (MPs) want Magistrates who are not married to be locked out of ruling over cases involving children citing inexperience in family matters.

Homa Bay  MP Peter Kaluma, who has battled a protracted child support case, is pushing for the changes through the Children’s (Amendment) Bill 2019.

Appearing before the National Assembly Labour and Social Welfare Committee on Thursday, Mr Kaluma said that only magistrates who are married and have the experience to handle family matters should hear cases involving children. “We need people who are mature and have run families; people who are settled and know that every decision they make can destroy the life of a child completely,” he said.

Should unmarried magistrates preside over children’s cases, R Kaluma argues that they must be of the senior cadre.