Chief Justice Martha Koome has decried inadequate funding to the Judiciary saying it is being sidelined compared to other important sectors like health, education and security.
Koome, who is also the President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, said the Judiciary should be accorded the same emphasis in terms of budgetary allocation like the three sectors.
Speaking while opening the Kamwangi law courts in Gatundu North Sub County Thursday, the CJ said the budgetary constraints has incapacitated the Judiciary in employing enough judges, magistrates and staff to be able to effectively administer justice.
She said a boost in funding will enable them to put up the necessary structures to deal with case backlogs and make justice delivery possible.
“We need to treat investment in justice the same way we treat health, education and security sectors since access to justice is a fundamental right that touches every aspect of our life. We cannot talk of case backlogs when we face budget constraints. We can only do well if we invest in systems and infrastructure that make justice delivery possible,” said Koome.
The CJ also said the Judiciary plans to establish law courts in all the 290 constituencies and so far 141 have been completed and appealed to MPs in the remaining 149 electoral areas to partner with her office in actualising the set up.
She at the same time asked Kenyans to embrace alternative justice systems as a cheaper way of resolving disputes and helping to decongest the law courts.
“Desist from rushing to the courts over matters which could be settled through the alternative dispute resolution (ADR). ADR is cheaper and less time consuming than pursuing justice through the courtrooms,” she said.
Residents led by area MP Njoroge Kururia said the Kamwangi court will be beneficial to locals particularly in matters of property disputes and other legal issues.
“Residents will no longer have to travel to Gatundu South or to Thika court to seek justice. This will also reduce crime rates in the sub county as well as reduce the backlog of cases in the two courts,” said Kururia.
The new facility was built through a partnership between the Judiciary and the local constituency office through NG-CDF.
At the same time, officials of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) led by Council Member Steve Mbugua said the Judiciary must stamp its authority as a custodian of justice and avoid getting compromised by the State.
Mbugua said the Judiciary must speak out against cases of abduction of government critics, extra-judicial killings and other violations of human rights.
By Muoki Charles
