Supreme Court rules on various courts' jurisdictions

Judges and magistrates appointed to courts with special jurisdiction will not be allowed to preside over cases that are general in nature... The Supreme Court has today ruled that a judge appointed to the Environment and Land Court lacks jurisdiction to hear and determine criminal matters since they hold specific jurisdiction. This case came before the Supreme Court after two convicts who had been sentensed to death appealed to the High Court but their appeal was heard by a judge who was sitting at the Lands and Environment Court but which has equal status with the High Court... The Supreme Court held that the bench that heard the appeal was not properly constituted by virtue of the presence of the judge from the special jurisdiction court... The Supreme Court has also ordered that the appeal be re heard at the High Court and the convicts be afforded right to counsel. Watch more NTV Kenya videos at ntv.co.ke and nation.co.ke. Follow @ntvkenya on Twitter. Like our page on Facebook: NTV Kenya. Follow and Double tap on Instagram: NTV Kenya Join Our Telegram channel: www.telegram.me/NTVNewsRush