Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome was in the Kiambu High Court yesterday for the Judicial Dialogue Day, an event designed to educate the public on judicial processes and address their concerns.
This year’s theme for the day is, “Bonga na Judiciary,”. The event encouraged alternative dispute resolution methods, including negotiation and mediation, to ease the backlog of court cases.
Judicial Dialogue Day fosters transparency, accountability, and public trust in the justice system. By promoting open communication, the initiative enhances public understanding of judicial processes, improves access to justice, and strengthens the relationship between the Judiciary and the people it serves.
In her speech, CJ Koome highlighted that Kiambu County ranks second after Nairobi in land disputes, with succession matters being the majority.
“Succession cases should not remain in court for more than a year. Most of these disputes involve family land and can be resolved through mediation without involving the courts,” she advised.
She urged mediation teams to actively promote alternative dispute resolution, terming it “the African way of solving disputes”. She encouraged families to seek amicable solutions before resorting to litigation.
CJ Koome announced plans to establish a new court in Lari by the end of the year to enhance access to justice. However, she acknowledged that budget cuts have impacted the Judiciary’s ability to invest in infrastructure and hire judicial staff.
“Despite these challenges, I assure the public that efforts are being made to operate within available resources while advocating for increased funding.
Expressing concern over rising cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), CJ Koome called on the public to protect and support children to address the issue at its root.
Kiambu County ranks second in femicide cases, and she pledged to establish a special SGBV court once the county is ready. Condemning femicide as an “atrocious crime” and a sign of “disregard for human life,” she emphasized the need for societal education on respect and constitutional rights.
CJ Koome assured the public that “justice is not for sale.”
“Money belongs in churches as tithe, not in court as a bribe. Judiciary officers are paid by taxpayers to serve the people, and bribery will not be tolerated,” she stated.
She also urged individuals who had left title deeds and logbooks as court guarantees to reclaim them, assuring that they would not face rearrest.
Kiambu Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Titus Macharia, acknowledged congestion at Kamiti Maximum Prison and urged prison authorities to submit proposals for expansion. He also raised concerns over delayed justice, calling on judges to expedite case processing.
Lady Justice Dorah Chepkwony explained that case delays often stem from police investigation challenges and the absence of witnesses, forcing judges to postpone hearings.
A Kiambu Resident, Peter Runo, expressed satisfaction with the event, stating that it provided much-needed answers. However, he urged CJ Koome to intensify efforts to combat corruption at all levels of the judiciary.
“If the Judiciary is corrupt, then the entire system is compromised. The fight against corruption must start from the top,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, marking the Judiciary Dialogue Day in Busia County, the Director of Public Prosecution, Renson Ingonga, has assured the public that his Office is committed to working closely with all Kenyans to ensure their cases are addressed to their satisfaction and for the realisation of justice for everyone.
Speaking at the Busia Law Court Friday, Ingonga said his office is dedicated to working as stipulated by the law and ensuring the public receives required services.
“My office is devoted to carrying out prosecution and direct investigations on where there are complaints that the investigative agencies have not initiated. I can assure you, today, that my office is there to serve the public, and anytime there is an issue, they should come to our offices, and they will get the required help,” he said.
He also underscored the need for having dialogue sessions between the public and other justice departments, citing financial constraints as the main challenge.
Busia Law Court Presiding Judge, Justice William Musyoka, said that land succession cases were on the rise countrywide.
Musyoka explained the rise in such cases has been caused by the law requirement that all registered property must undergo the succession process.
“Currently the Succession Act is what guides the division of family property as opposed to the cultural ones that were being used before 1981,” he explained.
Busia Law Courts Chief Magistrate, Ednah Nyaloti, urged the local residents to help in identifying conmen and brokers who pose as judiciary staff, hence tarnishing the name of the judiciary.
“Here we do not handle hard cash, and all the cash bails are paid in bank accounts,” he said, informing the local residents that no judge or magistrate has solicited for funds.
In Nyandarua, the day was hosted at the Nyahururu Law Court, where the Nyahururu High Court Judge, Lady Justice Lilian Mutende, assured the members of the public that the court will continue upholding justice and integrity so as to maintain the confidence of the clients it serves.
The Lady Justice pointed out that Nyahururu Court is taking the issue of justice and integrity with the seriousness it deserves.
She called upon all justice actors, especially the police and Office of Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), to operate with ‘clean hands’ taking the matters of justice and integrity with the weight they deserve, paving the way for transparency and accountability with the end result being members of the public being confident with the judicial system.
“To ensure justice and integrity of the court is maintained, my office is open for any complaint or compliment from the clients we serve,” added Justice Mutende.
Justice Mutende said the purpose of the Judiciary Dialogue Day is to reaffirm to the members of the public the commitment of the Judiciary to justice, adding that the Judiciary is a pillar to democracy and advocacy for liberty and rights.
She noted that the Judiciary Dialogue Day is a day to remind ourselves of the essence of transparency and accountability and a platform for sharing insights, ideas, and different views from members of the public for fair dispensation of justice.
“It is also a day for the identification of barriers to justice, hence fast-tracking transparency and accountability resulting in creating confidence with the judicial system,” she added.
The Nyahururu High Court presiding Judge promised to sit with high court judges from Nakuru, Baringo, and Nyandarua counties, which are served by the Nyahururu court, to see how they can enhance service delivery to their clients.
Gabriel Muhoti called upon the court to assist the litigants on how to fill out legal documents required in court. She, however, advised the litigants to seek the services of advocates or visit Kituo Cha Sheria in Nairobi for assistance if one cannot afford an advocate, adding that it is illegal for any judicial staff to engage in drafting the legal documents for the litigants, which she said can cost them their jobs.
The participants expressed concern with the language being used in court, some saying they get out of court without understanding the proceedings well.
They noted this is worse when cases are conducted online, noting that audibility is a problem during online court sessions.
And in Bomet County, the Judicial Service Commissioner, Isaac Ruto, urged members of the public to actively engage with Court Administrators at all levels to help resolve the backlog of pending cases.
During the event held at Bomet Law Courts, Commissioner Ruto emphasized the need to expedite succession cases, which have significantly burdened the judiciary.
“As the judiciary, we are ready to deliver on our mandate. I call upon the residents to solve some cases through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms back home, especially succession matters, to stop overburdening the judiciary,” Ruto advised.
He observed that the majority of cases pending in the law courts can be solved at home through an administrative mediator like a chief or Nyumba Kumi elder without the need for reaching the court point.
According to Bomet Law Courts Judge Julius Ngarngar, the Bomet Law Court is currently handling over 450 succession cases, with 180 files attended to so far. He encouraged the public to utilise the e-filing system to speed up case processing, especially for civil matters.
“Through the new e-filing, your case can be tackled at home or in one’s comfort zone, especially those on civil cases,” Ngarngar said.
He further urged individuals with stagnant case files to either appear physically or adopt the digital system.
In support of judicial reforms, Commissioner Ruto announced that the government has allocated Sh 500 million to construct a new court facility in Bomet to ease congestion and improve service delivery.
“The government has allocated Sh 50 million to Bomet’s new court structure, with the tendering process already completed. The site has been handed over to the contractor, and construction will begin soon, with the Treasury promising to add funds subsequently. The new court will cost Sh 500 million of taxpayers’ money,” he revealed.
Bomet County Police Commander, Edward Imbwaga Mulamula, welcomed the judiciary’s efforts and pledged to ensure all case files within his jurisdiction reach the courts without unnecessary delays.
“In most cases, files get lost in the hands of the police due to the kangaroo style of solving cases. I promise to activate anything pending within my area of administration with the help of those affected,” he stated.
The police boss also warned the public against resolving sensitive cases, such as defilement, through informal channels, emphasising that such practices undermine justice.
On his part, Samuel Cheruiyot, a local resident, lauded the engagement between the judiciary and the public, saying it fostered confidence in the legal system.
“This event has shown unity and built confidence in the law. My land case has been pending for three years, but today’s sensitisation has given me enough knowledge on how to approach it,” he said.
By KNA Team
