CJ Koome launches 26 tribunals to streamline acess to Justice

Nairobi, 

Friday, 23 August, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Chief Justice Marthe Koome has launched The Tribunals’ Shared Service Infrastructure , the Tribunals’ Website, and the Tribunals’ Registry Manual at Kenya Re Towers on Friday afternoon.

The initiatives are aimed at enhancing service delivery within the justice system.

The 26 tribunals have been transitioned from under the Executive to the Judiciary, an administrative change that symbolizes the integration of these Tribunals into the Judiciary’s ethos. 

"This is a giant step forward in making justice more accessible, enhancing efficiency in service delivery, and ensuring prudent management of our resources.

The shared administrative support among Tribunals allows the Judiciary to use its scarce resources more wisely, especially since many Tribunals do not sit on a daily basis"CJ Koome noted.

Koome called on the 26 Tribunals to contribute to Judiciary's shared endeavor, upholding high-performance standards, leveraging technology, and adopting innovative practices to guarantee efficient and fair service delivery. 

The Shared Service Infrastructure centralizes all Tribunals at Kenya Re Towers, offering a one-stop location with shared administrative services. This move will ensure that justice is easily accessible. 

The Tribunals’ Website is designed to make information more accessible to Kenyans. 

Through the website, citizens can learn how to lodge cases, view cause lists, find out when Tribunals will be sitting outside Nairobi, and access other relevant information, an initiative that will make legal information more available to the public, thereby deepening access to justice.

The Tribunals’ Registry Manual standardizes registry operations across all Tribunals. Previously, each Tribunal operated independently, leading to confusion for litigants. The new harmonized manual streamlines operations, providing clarity and consistency in registry processes.

Koome recognized the significant role tribunals play in acess to Justice at grassroots level and why there's need to embrace and strengthen the initiative. 

"As we navigate an era of rapid socio-legal evolution, it is imperative that we strengthen and expand these pathways to justice. Tribunals, often the first point of contact for many Kenyans seeking justice, are the grassroots gateways where the voices of our citizens are heard and where they receive the justice they deserve. 

If we get it right at these entry levels, that also include the Magistrates Courts and the Small Claims Courts, we will have fundamentally transformed the justice journey for most Kenyan." She noted. 

" The Tribunals hold a unique and indispensable role in our justice system, designed to offer a simplified and specialized avenue for accessing justice. Central to the Judiciary’s strategic blueprint, Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ), is the promotion of a multi-door approach to justice."Koome added. 

In the last financial year, the Tribunals achieved a remarkable Case Clearance Rate of 111%, resolving 15,173 cases compared to the 13,712 cases filed. Notably, the Rent Restriction Tribunal, the Business Premises Rent Tribunal, the Tax Appeal Tribunal, and the Cooperative Tribunal have led the way with the highest clearance rates. 

Furthermore, the Judiciary Performance Management and Measurement Unit (PMMU) results reflected the significant impact of tribunals which recognized the achievements of the Sports Disputes Tribunal, Tax Appeals Tribunal, and Business Premises Rent Tribunal, as the best performers in the last evaluation cycle. 

Additionally, the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal played a crucial role during the 2022 electoral cycle, promptly resolving pre-election disputes and ensuring the smooth conduct of the general elections.

However, Koome noted that the transition process remains incomplete due to the absence of a legislative framework to streamline Tribunal operations. 

She appreciated the government’s support in the transition process of tribunals, particularly the Cabinet’s approval of the Tribunals Bill last year. She urged the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process to finalize this transition.

Koome further directed all court stations to embrace the concept of innovative shared services for Tribunals. 

"This model should be replicated in other court stations to ensure maximum utilization of space." She noted.