Kitui County Governor, Julius Malombe, has advised parties involved in disputes to cease seeking resolve in local courts and instead embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to settle their conflicts amicably.
According to Malombe, just like courts, ADR also guarantees justice, is affordable, easily accessible and solves disputes within a relatively shorter period.
The Governor underscored that the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution by involved parties, is a significant milestone in promoting the Constitutional mandate of dispute settlement.
Speaking during the roll-out of the Court Annexed Mediation ceremony at the Kitui Law Courts, Malombe observed that the National and County governments, are called to cooperate and consult in service delivery, noting they are inter-dependent in the discharge of their functions.
The Governor also praised the court annexed mediation as key in ensuring the results of judicial processes are individually and socially just, elevate the role of disputing parties in finding solutions, entrenching the culture of amicable resolution of disputes and strengthening trust and confidence in the judicial system.
The Governor reiterated the importance of the alternative approach, and added that the people would reap the benefits of enhanced access to justice, with the establishment of a mediation registry in Kitui.
“This mediation approach is bound to lead in fastening of the cases or disputes, enabling the Chief Justice’s vision for the judiciary, anchored on the mantra of “Social Transformation Through Access to Justice,” said Dr Malombe.
The County Boss highlighted the County government’s unwavering support to aid the judiciary in efforts to have more courts put up by allocating a two-acre parcel of land at Manyenyoni, to have at least one court at each Sub-county by acquiring land through the County’s Ministry of Land, alleviate water supply challenges by installing tanks at both Kitui and Mwingi Law courts and also augment the existing court infrastructure by constructing a County Court, whose plans are underway.
“The County Court is born out of the MoU between the judiciary and the CoG signed in 2016. The objective being among other things to have a forum where the enforcement County Legislation is prioritized,” he noted.
Kitui High Court Judge, Robert Limo, while speaking during the ceremony, echoed Malombe’s sentiments, noting that Court Annexed Mediation, will promote win-win resolution of dispute between parties.
He added that the Court will review the details of cases filed and determine, whether they are suitable for referral or mediation. Parties may also request to have their case considered for mediation.
“Court Annexed Mediation will also be instrumental in mitigating the cases backlog menace in our courts, as parties will be able to resolve their matter within sixty days,” added Justice Limo.
He further acknowledged the County Government for the continued support to the Judiciary in Kitui County, terming it crucial in their bid to offer effective judicial services, to the residents.
By Denson Mututo and Stacy Jepchumba
