Kenya to help South Sudan build strong institutions

By WILLIS OKETCH

The Government will continue assisting South Sudan to establish strong management institutions and Judiciary to help it have efficient and effective service delivery organs.

Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno said that for South Sudan to move forward, their personnel — who are being trained by Kenyans — must be ready to learn from their Kenyan counterparts and put in practice what they have learnt.

“I wish to give assurance that the Government of Kenya is fully committed to assisting South Sudan in the efforts to establish and sustain systems and institutions that are (efficient for) effective service delivery,” said the minister.

Seminar
Otieno said this Monday at a Mombasa hotel during the opening of a one-week seminar for judges from South Sudan.

He said Kenya had already deployed 72 civil servants to Juba, South Sudan’s capital, to train personnel so that they can manage their affairs effectively.

Otieno commended the Government of Sudan for trying to come up with a Judiciary, which was based on common law system.

“The specific objectives of the retreat are to provide participants with basic working knowledge of the functions and administration of common law courts to equip you with skills for effective case management,” said the minister.

He told the participants to use the opportunity to avoid mistakes made by others in establishing judicial systems and administration of justice.

Judicial system
“The point of reference is that it is possible to develop a judicial system that operates in a credible, predictable and reliable manner,” he said.

He said that the Judiciary was important because it works together with the Executive and Parliament as an arm of the Government.

“It is a crucial pillar for stability, respect, citizen confidence and the economic growth of a nation,” said Otieno.

Otieno disclosed that the Government has deployed a judge and other experts in South Sudan to train them on areas, which would help them, manage their country effectively.

Among those who attended included law professor Yash Pal Ghai.