High Court

English

(1)There is established the High Court, which—

(a)shall consist of the number of judges prescribed by an Act of Parliament; and

(b)shall be organised and administered in the manner prescribed by an Act of Parliament.

(2)There shall be a Principal Judge of the High Court, who shall be elected by the judges of the High Court from among themselves.

(3)Subject to clause (5), the High Court shall have—

(a)unlimited original jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters;

(b)jurisdiction to determine the question whether a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights has been denied, violated, infringed or threatened;

(c)jurisdiction to hear an appeal from a decision of a tribunal appointed under this Constitution to consider the removal of a person from office, other than a tribunal appointed under Article 144;

(d)jurisdiction to hear any question respecting the interpretation of this Constitution including the determination of—

(i)the question whether any law is inconsistent with or in contravention of this Constitution;

(ii)the question whether anything said to be done under the authority of this Constitution or of any law is inconsistent with, or in contravention of, this Constitution;

(iii)any matter relating to constitutional powers of State organs in respect of county governments and any matter relating to the constitutional relationship between the levels of government; and

(iv)a question relating to conflict of laws under Article 191; and

(e)any other jurisdiction, original or appellate, conferred on it by legislation.

(4)Any matter certified by the court as raising a substantial question of law under clause (3) (b) or (d) shall be heard by an uneven number of judges, being not less than three, assigned by the Chief Justice.

(5)The High Court shall not have jurisdiction in respect of matters—

(a)reserved for the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under this Constitution; or

(b)falling within the jurisdiction of the courts contemplated in Article 162 (2).

(6)The High Court has supervisory jurisdiction over the subordinate courts and over any person, body or authority exercising a judicial or quasi-judicial function, but not over a superior court.

(7)For the purposes of clause (6), the High Court may call for the record of any proceedings before any subordinate court or person, body or authority referred to in clause (6), and may make any order or give any direction it considers appropriate to ensure the fair administration of justice.

Kiswahili

Mahakama Kuu

(1)Mahakama Kuu imebuniwa, ambayo—

(a)itakuwa na idadi ya majaji kama itakavyobainishwa katika Sheria ya Bunge;

(b)itapangwa na kusimamiwa kulingana na Sheria ya Bunge.

(2)Kutakuwa na Jaji Kinara wa Mahakama Kuu, ambaye atachaguliwa na majaji wa Mahakama Kuu kutoka miongoni mwao.

(3)Kwa kuzingatia ibara ya (5), Mahakama Kuu—

(a)Itakuwa na mamlaka ya kiasili katika kesi za jinai na kesi za kiraia;

(b)mamlaka ya kubaini iwapo haki au uhuru wa kimsingi katika Sheria za Haki imezuiwa, kukiukwa, kuvunjwa au kutishiwa; au

(c)mamlaka ya kusikiliza kesi ya rufaa kutoka katika uamuzi wa taasisi iliyo na mamlaka ya mahakama iliyoteuliwa chini ya Katiba hii kuchunguza kuondolewa kwa mtu ofisini, isipokuwa taasisi iliyoteuliwa chini ya Kifungu cha 144;

(d)mamlaka ya kusikiliza suala lolote kuhusu kufasiriwa kwa Katiba hii ikijumuisha—

(i)iwapo sheria yoyote haiambatani na, au inakiuka, Katiba hii;

(ii)iwapo chochote kinachosemekana kutekelezwa chini ya mamlaka ya Katiba hii au sheria yoyote, hakiambatani, au kinakiuka, Katiba hii;

(iii)suala lolote linalohusu mamlaka ya kikatiba ya vitengo vya serikali katika serikali za kaunti na suala lolote linalohusu uhusiano wa kikatiba kati ya ngazi za serikali; na

(iv)swali linalohusu mkinzano wa sheria chini ya Kifungu cha 191; na

(e)swala kuhusu mamlaka yake mengine yoyote, ya kiasili au ya rufaa, ambayo yametolewa na sheria.

(4)Suala lolote linalothibitishwa na mahakama kuwa linazua utata mkubwa kisheria chini ya ibara ya (3) (b) au (d) litasikilizwa na idadi isiyo shufwa ya majaji, na isiyopungua watatu, watakaoteuliwa na Jaji Mkuu.

(5)Mahakama Kuu haitakuwa na mamlaka kuhusiana na masuala—

(a)yaliyotengewa mamlaka ya kipekee ya Mahakama ya Juu Zaidi chini ya Katiba hii; au

(b)yaliyo chini ya mamlaka ya mahakama zilizotajwa katika Kifungu cha 162 (2).

(6)Mahakama Kuu ina mamlaka ya kusimamia mahakama za ngazi ya chini, mtu yeyote, taasisi au halmashauri inayotekeleza jukumu la kimahakama, lakini sio mahakama ya ngazi ya juu.

(7)Kwa malengo ya ibara ya (6), Mahakama Kuu inaweza kuitisha kumbukumbu za kesi yoyote inayoendelea katika mahakama ya ngazi ya chini, mtu, taasisi au halmashauri inayorejelewa katika ibara ya (6) na inaweza kutoa maagizo yoyote na kutoa maelekezo yanayofaa kwa maoni ya mahakama hiyo ili kuhakikisha kwamba haki inatendeka.