Embu: Chief Justice Martha Koome has called for increased budgetary allocation to the Judiciary to support the growth and sustainability of Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, Koome spoke during the opening of the 4th National Alternative Justice Systems Conference at the University of Embu in Embu County. She emphasized that adequate funding is critical to ensuring justice programs are implemented effectively without interruptions. The Chief Justice highlighted the need for sufficient resources to meet the Judiciary’s constitutional mandate and to expand access to justice through community-based dispute resolution mechanisms. She noted that Alternative Justice Systems have played a significant role in reducing the backlog of cases in courts by providing citizens with alternative avenues for resolving disputes.
Koome expressed concern over the government’s minimal financial allocation towards supporting AJS programs, despite their increasing importance in the justice sector. She pointed out that the traditional justice system has relied heavily on indicators such as the number of cases filed and resolved, and the reduction of court case backlogs. However, she observed that disputes, particularly those involving families and land, often take years to resolve in court. In contrast, many of these disputes could be settled more expediently through Alternative Justice Systems involving elders and mediators.
Chief Justice Koome emphasized the valuable role elders play in restoring relationships within families and communities by fostering dialogue and reconciliation. ‘Elders are helping bring families together. Even people who have not spoken for a long time are able to reconcile and reach a point where they can engage again,’ she said.
The conference gathered over 600 delegates from across Africa, including judicial officers, legal practitioners, academics, community leaders, and development partners, to discuss the future of justice systems. Koome urged county governments to support the implementation of AJS initiatives within their jurisdictions, describing these programs as a transformative approach to justice delivery.
Earlier, the Chief Justice launched the Embu Alternative Justice Systems Suite and AJS Registries for Embu, Siakago, and Runyenjes Law Courts at the Embu Law Courts. She stated that the new facilities will enhance access to alternative dispute resolution services and strengthen efforts to deliver people-centered justice.
