Maua: The Maua Law Courts in Meru County have processed a total of 3,210 civil and criminal cases between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, as revealed by Chief Magistrate Felix Kombo. He highlighted both progress and ongoing challenges in the delivery of justice across the Igembe region.
According to Kenya News Agency, during a Judiciary Dialogue Day themed “Engaging Citizens, Strengthening Justice,” Kombo stated that the court currently has 3,068 active cases and a backlog of 1,051 cases. This underscores the ongoing pressure on judicial resources. Among the cases handled, 55 involved defilement, prompting Kombo to call for stronger community vigilance and multi-agency collaboration to protect children and vulnerable persons.
Kombo pointed out that the increasing number of cases reflects the public’s growing reliance on the courts for justice, which in turn stretches the court’s capacity. This situation calls for more support in staffing and infrastructure. He also noted that the Maua law courts have embraced technology to improve efficiency and expand access to justice, particularly for litigants and witnesses located far from the court station.
The use of virtual court sessions and digital case management systems has enabled remote participation in proceedings, reducing travel costs and delays while ensuring continuity of hearings. Through these virtual platforms, people can attend court sessions regardless of distance, speeding up case handling and improving participation for witnesses, advocates, and parties who face logistical challenges.
Digitisation of court processes has enhanced transparency, record-keeping, and case tracking. Kombo further highlighted the expansion of services through mobile courts operating in Mutuati and Garbatulla, which bring justice closer to the people. These mobile courts have been instrumental in reducing travel distance and costs for litigants, witnesses, and victims, particularly in remote and marginalised areas. They have also helped ease congestion at the main Maua station and improve timely access to justice.
Emphasising the importance of citizen engagement in strengthening justice systems, Kombo noted that public awareness and cooperation are key to reducing disputes and improving case resolution. Judiciary Dialogue forums facilitate direct interaction between the courts and the public, allowing citizens to raise concerns, provide feedback, and better understand court procedures and their rights.
He encouraged residents to adopt alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration to reduce the number of cases escalating in court. Kombo expressed concern over delays in handling children-related cases, which he attributed to acute understaffing. The entire Igembe region is currently served by only one children’s officer, making it challenging to process reports and prepare required inquiry documents promptly.
To address frequent power outages that disrupt court operations, Kombo disclosed plans to install a solar power system at the court. This alternative energy source aims to ensure uninterrupted services, particularly for digital and virtual court operations that depend on stable electricity.
