Chief Justice: Kenya's judiciary reforms in high gear

By Patrick Githinji

With 11 days left before he announces the State of Judiciary, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga is optimistic about the reform agenda envisaged by Kenyans.

Mutunga’s assurance came last week when he established a Chief of Staff office at the Office of Chief Justice.

While making the announcement, Mutunga said, "I have today appointed an individual of singular capability and qualification in the name of Duncan Okello."

Mr Okello will be aide to the CJ, helping in supervision of direct reports. He will also act as a sounding board for ideas to and from the CJ’s office. Okello, 39, brings with him a wealth of experience in research, governance and public policy gained over a 15-year career in several capacities.

His training in political science, international relations and law, obtained from the University of Nairobi and the University of Kent at Canterbury, UK, where he was a post-graduate Chevening Scholar, has enabled him to undertake a multidisciplinary approach in his writings and career.

Dr Mutunga said Okello’s role would also be to advise the CJ on issues of politics, policy, law and management and negotiate with sectors like the Legislature, civil society, private sector and the Executive.

Legal expert Dishon Kirima lauded the CJ’s move, arguing that this will free up some of his busy schedule and he will be able to monitor the reforms he initiated.

Kirima said in order to function efficiently and deliver on these heavy responsibilities, Okello will need support at the highest levels cutting across strategy formulation and implementation, research and knowledge generation, policy, communication, and external relations.

In the recent weeks, the Judiciary has taken important strides towards the realisation of the reform agenda as necessitated by the provisions and aspirations of the new Constitution.

A number of initiatives have begun, including important staffing decisions that have seen the swearing-in of the country’s first set of Supreme Court Justices, the appointment of 28 new High Court judges and the appointment of the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board.

However, Mutunga has said many more reform measures are to follow to improve on the quality, speed, and access to justice. "For successful reforms at the Judiciary to be realised, it will require focus on both the Judicial and the Administrative limbs of this important institution," he said.

He said the office of Chief of Staff will have as its prime responsibility, coordination of all the functions his office, the establishment of linkages between his office and other stakeholders (academia, private sector, civil society) in the administration of justice, and provision of leadership and perspectives in matters of policy, research and strategy.