Chief Justice Martha Koome is set to preside over the unveiling of the electronic filing (e-filing) system of cases in Kisumu County on Friday in an effort to bolster service delivery in courts.
The e-filing system is a shot in the arm for the justice system as it seeks to reduce the backlog of cases and minimize the chances of missing files within the corridors of courts.
“This system ensures that court users are able to file their cases at the comfort of where they are to minimize traffic at the courts,” Chief Magistrate at the Kisumu Law Courts Dickson Onyango said during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held at the lakeside city ahead of the launch.
Upon digitization, added Onyango, the judiciary would sensitize all court users on how to make new filings through the system.
“After the launch, we will abolish manual filing of cases from the public after June 16,” he stated.
According to the Chairperson of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Western Chapter, George Murunga, the system is envisioned to expand the advocates’ scope of work.
“Once the documents are uploaded into the system, you will be able to check the progress in real-time. The system is also not going to limit us in terms of operation. Even if it’s on a Sunday, you just check the system,” Murunga stated.
The e-filing system is already operational in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kilifi counties. Mandera, Wajir, and Kiambu counties have also been earmarked for digitization.
By Edwin Odhiambo and Levina Odongo
