Kisumu: The Judiciary and the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) have launched five major justice-sector reform instruments aimed at improving coordination, efficiency, and access to justice across Kenya. Speaking during the 38th NCAJ meeting in Mombasa, Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome, who is also the chairperson of the council, emphasized that no single institution can deliver justice effectively on its own, noting that the challenges facing the country’s justice system are complex and interconnected.
According to Kenya News Agency, the five reform instruments launched include The Justice Sector ICT Policy and Action Plan, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), People-Centred Justice Guidelines, The People-Centred Justice Study, and Standard Operating Procedures for Service Delivery Initiatives. These documents demonstrate the achievements of coordinated institutional collaboration. Chief Justice Koome highlighted that the Kenyan public experiences the justice system as a single, interconnected justice chain, and any weakness in one part affects the confidence in the entire system.
On the topic of digital transformation, CJ Koome mentioned the progress made in adapting to meet the needs of a digital society. This includes the integration of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Uadilifu System with the Judiciary’s Case Tracking System, creation of digital accounts for the Kenya Prisons Service, and integration with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) for vehicle verification. Further efforts are underway to connect with the Ministry of Lands’ Ardhi Sasa platform, the Probation Service, and the Department of Children’s Services.
Justice Koome emphasized the importance of transitioning to electronically authenticated documents to improve efficiency and reduce delays. She noted that the People-Centred Justice Guidelines and Study have shifted the focus from institutional performance to the actual experiences of people seeking justice, prioritizing whether services are understandable, accessible, affordable, inclusive, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
The Standard Operating Procedures for Service Delivery Initiatives aim to establish sustained, coordinated programs that respond to community justice needs, moving beyond one-off outreach activities. Justice Koome commended the collaborative efforts of NCAJ committees, the Secretariat, justice-sector institutions, and development partners in developing the reform documents through extensive consultation, while cautioning that effective implementation will be key to their success.
Over the next two days, the council will deliberate on several policy and legislative issues, including the Draft Sexual Offences Amendment Bill, responses to femicide, instant traffic fines, and combating wildlife crime. Discussions will also cover preparations for the 2027 general election, identification parade procedures, guidelines for interviewing children within the justice system, a legal aid strategy for court users’ committees, the open prison model, and recovery treatment courts for offenders with substance-use disorders.
Justice Koome directed the committee on criminal justice reforms to finalize a training manual for criminal justice actors handling youth and informed members that the NCAJ Strategic Plan (2026-2030) is nearing completion, urging institutions to provide feedback. She concluded by stating that success will be measured by real improvements experienced by ordinary Kenyans who rely on the justice system daily.
