No case should stay in a trial court beyond 3 years, Koome says
Chief Justice Martha Koome envisions that no case to stay in a trial court beyond three years and appeals finalised in a year.
Speaking in Mombasa during a meeting with tribunal representatives, Koome said her main objective will be to have a judiciary that is efficient in the delivery of justice.
“Every court should strive to be a centre of excellence in expeditious delivery of justice. Supreme Court must be the pacesetter and model for excellence and clear our own backlog,” said Koome.
According to Koome, they intend to use a bottom-up approach where the lowest levels help drive policy at the top.
To improve efficiency, CJ said courts will be allowed to develop their own unique interventions.
“Innovations could include Commercial Courts and Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Courts adopting “night court” shifts between 5.00 p.m. and 8.00pm,” she said.
noted they were in the final stages of setting up desks in every Huduma Centre across the country where litigants can file their cases.
This will be an additional avenue as the courts are already embracing the E-filling system which was propelled by the Covid-19.
Koome said that the Judiciary has been marked with several challenges such as delays and high costs which she has to confront while she embarks on her tenure as the top judge.
However, she said that the ability to fully transition all tribunals to the Judiciary needs revision to relevant legislations, increased capacity and control over hiring and resources and engagement of all stakeholders.
She advised everybody to become an agent for justice since it will make the country start looking for indigenous solutions, that leads to reconciliation and peace.
“Many will avoid violence, conflict and pitfalls that lead to endless court cases,” she said.
The 2nd Annual Tribunals Symposium was held in Mombasa this year’s theme being “Towards effecient and innovative Tribunals; A Service Delivery Agenda”.
It aligns with the CJ’s vision to build a Judiciary that is independent, efficient, accessible and responsive to the aspirations of Kenyans from the Magistrates, Kadhi’s Courts, Tribunals, Superior Courts all the way to the Apex Court.
Chief Justice was joined by DCJ Philomena Mwilu, CRJ Anne Amadi, Principal Judges Lydia Achode and Maureen Onyango, DCRJ Paul Maina and the Judiciary Leadership Management Team.
