The Supreme Court of Kenya has established two Sub-Registries in Mombasa and Kisumu to enhance access to its services and ease the filing processes.
The Court has already implemented a case management system that incorporates electronic filing under the second Strategic Plan of the Court ‘The Supreme Court of Kenya Strategic Plan 2020 – 2024’.
According to a press release sent to newsrooms, the Court is pursuing the strategic objective of enhancing Access to Justice and positioning itself to effectively discharge its mandate under the said plan.
In addition, the Court aims to enhance its performance and meet the diverse expectations of its stakeholders through the planned establishment of its services to other strategic cities, other than the seat of the Court in Nairobi.
“Under this Strategic Plan, the sub-registries will receive all filings from litigants and transmit urgent matters and files to the Court’s Central Registry in Nairobi,” read the statement.
Further, all matters in which the Court has jurisdiction can be filed in the sub-registries except the Presidential Petitions, which for logistical reasons, must be filed at the seat of the Court in Nairobi.
“Filings at the Court ought to be in both electronic form and hard copies, according to the Rules of the Court and therefore, parties and advocates who file their matters in the sub-registries must familiarize themselves with the Rules of the Court, including the transmission process,” emphasized the statement.
Since hearings at the Court are mostly virtual, parties and advocates are urged to ensure access to a stable internet network when their matters come up for hearing to ensure the hearings proceed uninterrupted.
The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 establishes the Supreme Court as the apex court under Kenya’s judicial system which is vested with the exclusive original jurisdiction under Article 163(3) (a), to hear and determine disputes relating to the elections to the office of the President.
The Court has appellate jurisdiction under Article 163(3) (b), to hear and determine appeals from the Court of Appeal and any other court or tribunal as prescribed by national legislation.
Additionally, the Court also hears appeals from tribunals constituted under Article 168(8) of the Constitution to determine whether a Judge ought to be removed from office and has the jurisdiction to consider applications emanating from a declaration of a State of Emergency under Article 58(5).
By Michael Omondi
