CJ Koome says technology is a game changer in access to Justice

Chief Justice Martha Koome. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Digital-ready courts and the uptake of ICT are vital for streamlining processes and making justice more accessible, Chief Justice Martha Koome has said.

Justice Koome emphasised the need to generate reliable justice data, a key pillar of informed policy-making.

The CJ, who delivered a keynote speech virtually at the start of the 11th Annual Heads of Station Forum informed the meeting that the capabilities and functionality of the Case Tracking System (CTS) have been enhanced to improve the management of cases and data integrity.

Part of the measures taken include upgrading the CTS to required mandatory uploading standards of judgments and rulings before updating case outcomes to ensure litigants or advocates and other stakeholders get immediate access to court decisions.

“We are making the cause list portal, the single reference point for scheduled case events. All courts are required to generate their cause lists and notices directly from the CTS,” she said.

Koome cited an upgrade of the process of submitting monthly court returns by Judges and Judicial officers which has been automated through the Monthly Returns Portal.

She said this will facilitate easier filing and analysis of case progress data, with monthly returns being submitted by the 5th of every month.

The CJ directed Magistrates’ Courts countrywide to conduct Rapid Results Initiatives to finalise cases that have been pending for more than three years.

“Courts must prioritise active case and docket management strategies. It is an active case and docket management that will help reduce case backlog by ensuring timely delivery of justice and management of our caseload,” she said.

She said robust data will guide strategies in the Judiciary and ensure the initiatives have the intended impact.

“We are therefore using technology to enhance the accountability of our processes and to get reliable performance data that ensure informed and evidence-based decision making,” she said.

This year’s magistrates’ forum is taking place in Kisii county under the theme: “Enhancing Organizational Growth and Sustainability through Shared Leadership.”

The Magistrates’ Courts have resolved 281,211 cases in the first nine months of the 2023/24 Financial Year compared to 289,576 cases filed in the same period, attaining a Case Clearance Rate (CCR) of 97 per cent.

The CJ announced that the Judiciary will also strengthen specialised courts, including Children’s Courts, the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Courts, and the Small Claims Courts.

“These courts address unique justice questions and amplify the impact of justice in the society.”

Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya said that there would be greater involvement of Judicial officers and staff at the station level in the budget-making process, improvement of infrastructure, mentorship, and peer review.

“Embrace inter-generational leadership to guide each other, particularly the younger team members in your station. I would encourage you to walk the talk yourself and create a framework for mentorship and peer review within your station. Be your brother and sister’s keeper,” she said. 

Mokaya committed to supporting the CJ to deliver her mandate and unlock the potential that the Judiciary Fund presents, improve the management of Judiciary resources, and properly systematise policies to the results cycle.