DNK International By Our Reporter,Nairobi.
A lobby group and an advocate have moved to the High Court seeking orders to compel the Judiciary to urgently install disability friendly facilities at the Milimani Law Courts
They cited long standing barriers that lock out persons living with disabilities from accessing justice.
In an application filed before the High Court of Kenya Judicial Review Division, Sheria Mtaani na Shadrack Wambui want the court to issue orders of mandamus against the Judicial Service Commission, compelling it to fast-track the installation of ramps, lifts, handrails, guiding rails and accessible lavatories at the Milimani Law Courts.
The applicants argue that “despite constitutional guarantees on equality, access to justice and the rights of persons with disabilities, many court buildings particularly open court stations remain inaccessible to wheelchair users and others with mobility challenges.”
In the pleadings, the applicants contend that persons living with disabilities, including advocates, litigants, judicial officers and members of the public, face severe difficulties moving within court precincts.
They argue that the absence of basic amenities effectively denies them the right to be heard in open court and undermines the principle of equal access to justice.
Through a supporting affidavit sworn by advocate Shadrack Wambui, the court was told that the situation worsened after the Covid-19 pandemic, with many persons with disabilities unable to physically access courtrooms and washroom facilities.
Wambui adds that some affected court users are “forced to seek washrooms in neighbouring buildings whenever they attend matters at Milimani.”
The affidavit further states that Milimani Law Courts, being the country’s largest and busiest court station, ought to set the standard by providing inclusive infrastructure for all users.
Wambui says that attempts to raise the issue administratively bore no fruit, despite formal correspondence seeking intervention to address the challenges.
The applicants are also seeking a declaration that the rights of persons living with disabilities to access justice at Milimani Law Courts and other physical court facilities have been violated.
“The court to compel the respondents and interested parties to progressively implement disability friendly amenities across all open court stations countrywide”, the court documents state.
The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association, the Law Society of Kenya, the National Council on the Administration of Justice and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities have been listed as interested parties in the case.
The matter has been filed under a certificate of urgency, with the applicants urging the court to prioritise the hearing, warning that failure to act will perpetuate discrimination and continue to lock out persons with disabilities from the very institutions meant to protect their rights.
[DNK-International@February 16,2026]
