By Tobias Ogutu
Justice delayed is justice denied is a common saying that emphasizes the importance of delivering justice in a timely manner. When someone breaks the law, the punishment should follow promptly; if it is delayed, its impact diminishes. Did you know that in our society, many people have sought justice from the judiciary for decades without success? This has been the case for John Ogonda from Nyalenda, Kisumu County, who has been seeking justice for over five years and has yet to find it.
John Ogonda from Nyalenda A Ward in Kisumu County recalls the events of January 15, 2018, when his home was invaded by thugs. Unfortunately, his daughters were sexually assaulted, and a sum of three hundred thousand shillings was stolen. According to Ogonda, he had just received a bank loan on the day of the attack. The thieves appeared to have been informed about this and demanded the exact amount he had received. When he denied having the money, the robbers assaulted his daughter and threatened to do the same to his wife. This forced Ogonda to give them everything they demanded. Fortunately, one of the robbers was identified by one of his children.
Ogonda quickly reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the suspect, who was then taken to court and identified the other accomplices. The suspect had pleaded guilty during interrogation while in police custody and even revealed the person who had tipped them off about Ogonda receiving a loan. All of this information was documented in the suspect’s file presented to the magistrate. However, from 2018 to the present, Ogonda has yet to receive justice.
According to Ogonda, all he wants is for the suspect and all those he named as accomplices to be arrested and for his stolen money to be returned. Unfortunately, nothing has happened so far, except for the court repeatedly postponing the hearing dates, requesting the police to conduct further investigations, and other delays. Now, Ogonda believes he will not receive justice, as the case has dragged on for so long that the officer in charge of the case passed away earlier this year.
What surprises Ogonda is that the suspect walks free despite all his accomplishments, while his daughter suffers from mental issues related to past events. Ogonda has given up and is now praying for justice from God as a believer.
The case of Ogonda is just one among many across the region. The judiciary often takes a long time to decide on cases, which negatively affects individuals, especially the victims. Justice should be delivered while the events are still fresh in the victims’ minds, so they feel that their rights have truly been upheld. It is high time for the judiciary to put its house in order and address all pending cases in the courts to ensure that justice is served.
