
In a rare gesture of taking justice to the people and de-stigmatisation of justice, a court in a far-flung region of north-western Kenya that is synonymous with banditry, cattle rustling, hunger and extreme climatic swings held a Judiciary Dialogue Day to explain to the public how the court system works.
The Judiciary Dialogue Day was intended to offer a platform for the public – a nomadic population that is known for pastoralism – to engage with judicial officers on how to improve service delivery in the judiciary.
The nomadic population’s economy is predominantly pastoralism and are forever on the move, a lifestyle that denies the access to justice whenever their right are abrogated either as a community or individuals.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the judiciary to strengthen public trust and ensure that the judicial process is more responsive to the needs of the people. The Judiciary Day was intended to foster communication between the judiciary and the public, with a focus on enhancing transparency, efficiency and accessibility of justice.
Speaking at Chelanga Gardens in Makutano town, Principal Magistrate Stella Telewa highlighted the court’s ongoing efforts to address key issues affecting the local community. Telewa pointed out that the court is actively working on resolving cases related to children, land disputes and both civil and criminal matters.
The principal secretary dwelt on public involvement in discussions to ensure that the court can effectively meet the needs of the community.
“Among the many issues we are addressing are cases involving children, land disputes and a range of civil and criminal matters. These are critical areas that affect the daily lives of our citizens, and it’s essential that we engage with the public to find better ways to resolve them,” said Telewa.
Magistrate Telewa stated that the most important goal of the day was to open a dialogue with the public on how the court can better meet their needs and provide more efficient services.
She acknowledged the community’s role in identifying challenges and offering suggestions for improvement.
“The purpose of this engagement is to ensure that we serve you better. We want to hear directly from the public about the issues they face, and work together to find solutions,” said Telewa.
She noted that the court is facing a significant number of land-related cases, which are affecting many local residents.
“The most rampant cases that have been raised today are those concerning land disputes. These are issues that impact many members of the community, and it is important that we work together to address them in a timely and efficient manner,” said Telewa.
Telewa expressed appreciation for the overwhelming positive feedback received from members of the public.
“We are truly grateful for the positive responses from the public. It is both humbling and motivating to know that our efforts are being recognized and valued,” said Telewa.
She called on key stakeholders to actively participate in the justice dispensation process, emphasizing that the judiciary alone cannot effectively deliver justice. She stressed the importance of collective action to ensure that justice is accessible and upheld for all members of society.
“The judiciary plays a crucial role, but it cannot shoulder the entire responsibility of dispensing justice,” said Telewa, highlighting that a coordinated effort from all sectors is essential to overcome challenges and ensure a more effective and equitable justice system. She urged stakeholders to come together, share resources, and collaborate on initiatives that can help improve the efficiency and accessibility of justice in the country.
She called upon the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and the police to work closely with her team to ensure justice is dispensed effectively.
“We have the court users (CUC) committee in place to address these critical issues, and we believe that with the combined efforts of ODPP, LSK, and the police, we can make significant strides in delivering justice to all,” Telewa stated.
Telewa stressed that a united approach is essential to overcoming existing challenges and improving the overall functioning of the justice system. She committed to holding quarterly meetings of the Committee on Unified Collaboration (CUC), where all key stakeholders will gather to discuss and address the issues raised by the public assuring that the meetings would provide a platform for open dialogue and active problem-solving among stakeholders.
“During these quarterly CUC meetings, we will ensure that all the concerns raised by members of the public are thoroughly discussed and addressed,” said Telewa.
Telewa acknowledged that it is not just the judiciary but the entire justice system that requires collaboration and unity to effectively serve the public.
“We have noticed that the responsibility of dispensing justice does not fall solely on the judiciary; it is a collective responsibility that involves the entire justice system,” said Telewa.
On her part Senior Resident Magistrate and Deputy Registrar at the Kapenguria High Court Kipchumba Kenei, explained that the special day had been set aside by the Chief Justice Martha Koome to allow members of the public to provide valuable feedback on the functioning of the courts.
“This initiative, endorsed by the Chief Justice, is a crucial step in fostering transparency and accountability within the judiciary,” said Kenei.
Kenei further stressed that such engagements are vital in ensuring that the judiciary remains responsive to the needs of the people, and that feedback from the public will be taken seriously to make necessary improvements. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of the justice system.
Kenei said the involvement of all the stakeholders was crucial in ensuring a comprehensive and effective feedback process.
“The event was a success, as it allowed the public to openly voice their concerns and share their experiences,” said Kenei.
She highlighted that the engagement was made possible through the support of key stakeholders, including the Court Users Committee, the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Prisons, and Probation and After Care Services.
She said the feedback received will be used to inform improvements in the justice system and ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of the community.
She proudly noted that the turnover of cases in Kapenguria has improved, with most cases not taking more than three years to resolve.
“We have made notable strides in improving the efficiency of our courts,” said Kenei. “I’m pleased to report that the turnaround time for cases here in Kapenguria is now under three years, which is a clear indication of the commitment we have to delivering timely justice.”
She mentioned that individuals who travel from far distances are given the opportunity to have their cases heard closer to their homes through the mobile court initiative.
“We understand the challenges faced by those living in distant areas, and to ensure their matters are heard, we have implemented the mobile court system where matters of people from North Pokot are being heard at Konyao and cases involving people from Central Pokot are being solved at Sigor,” Kenei explained
Kenei emphasized that this initiative is part of the judiciary’s efforts to make justice available to all, regardless of geographical location, and to reduce the burden of travel for those with limited resources.
The session also provided a platform for residents to voice their concerns and suggestions on improving the judicial process, with many participants highlighting the need for quicker resolutions and better support for those involved in children’s and land-related cases.
- A Tell / KNA report / By Agneta Chebet