In a bid to reduce the backlog of cases at the law courts, Kenyans have been urged to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, especially the use of elders to address family and land matters that usually end up in court.
Speaking in Isiolo when he presided over a ground-breaking ceremony and laying of the foundation stone for construction of Isiolo High Court buildings, Chief Justice David Maraga said that the Judiciary is keen to establish a high court in every county and at least a magistrate’s court in each of the 290 sub counties across the country.
He however called upon Kenyans to allow judicial officers to clear the cases that have been before the courts over the years by resolving arising family and land matters through local mechanisms such as elders/ out of court settlements.
Justice Maraga advised that such a resolution will ensure unity and friendship among close family members as opposed to the enmity that arises when one brother wins a court case with the other losing.
He however cautioned members of public against using the same mechanisms to resolve cases like child rape or other criminal matters.
