Kenyan Judiciary unveils new database on sex pests

Kenya's Judiciary has launched a national database of past sexual offenders to provide background checks for institutions.

It covers persons convicted of offences under the Sexual Offence Act, including rape, indecent and sexual assault. The database includes names and the identity card numbers of the offenders, date of conviction, crime committed, age of the victim and rehabilitation of the convict.

The police, the Judiciary, and the Teachers Service Commission, among other institutions, will access the system.

“In short, it may form part of the background checks for institutions,” said High Court chief registrar Gladys Shollei.

The Sexual Offences Act provides for a register of convicted sex offenders to be maintained by the registrar of the High Court. “The database will also help in the rehabilitation of the offenders and to curb incidents of sex abuse,” said Attorney General Githu Muigai.

The chief registrar will have the administrative rights to access the system. However, restricted access will be given to the staff of the Judiciary and the public.

This means that other institutions such as employers may be able to access the system upon application for background checks on their prospective employees.

Monitoring

The system is used in countries such as the US, UK and Canada to keep track of criminal offenders and also to provide information on people seeking important public or private office.

In these countries sex offenders are subject to additional restrictions. They are denied access to areas such as schools and even the Internet. “There is need for the public, private institutions and individuals to internalise the enormity of the problem and for society as a whole to address it comprehensively,” said Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.

The database is designed to allow the authorities to monitor residence and activities of sex offenders.

Other details in the registry will include the police file number, case number and court where the case was filed.

It will also have judgment details such as verdict, sentence, and date of verdict. It includes those who have completed their sentence.

The Judiciary is also converting its manual filing system to digital format as it seeks to ease court procedures and increase the speed of service delivery.