Nairobi: Communications Authority has committed to spearheading robust internet connectivity to the country's court systems to accelerate service delivery and access to justice by Kenyans. The Authority said that, through the Universal Fund, 200 courts in the country have already been connected to stable internet in a sh. 200 million project.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mohammed Haji, a senior officer at CA, stated that the partnership will help cure the existing challenge of poor internet connectivity facing both Sub-County and County courts. Haji said CA will offer the Judiciary its expertise to harness the adoption of Artificial Intelligence which will help strengthen the judicial digital justice system for the benefit of court users.
Haji added that the engagements will unlock the role of digital signatures and their admissibility in contracts and other commercial agreements as stipulated by the law. Further, he said the partnership will strengthen judiciary video conferencing, electronic case management, and a robust cyber security system to enhance protection of judicial data.
'By enhancing internet connectivity in the Judiciary will accelerate digital delivery of judicial services and make available information to Kenyans,' said Haji during the Magistrate and Kadhi Courts Colloquium in Naivasha. On her part, Chief Justice Martha Koome welcomed the partnership noting that the Judiciary is committed to leverage modern technology to speed up delivery of justice to court users.
Koome said the judiciary is pursuing a robust digital transformation agenda that has led to the introduction of electronic filing and Virtual Courts which has enhanced user satisfaction. Koome tasked judicial officers to take lead in adoption and nurturing a culture of innovation that will accelerate the delivery of justice to deserving users.
According to Supreme Court Judge Smokin Wanjala, the judiciary is committed to ensuring that technological innovations are deployed in a manner that serves the cause of justice, rather than undermining it. Wanjala said judicial officers must navigate the complexities of digital evidence, protecting data privacy, detecting tech-related fraud and deploying judicial automation platforms.
He added that Judges and judicial officers must also be aware of the ethical implications of emerging technologies and must show commitment to human rights, equity, and non-discrimination. 'Tech justice is ensuring that the law evolves alongside it to protect and promote justice and uphold the core values of fairness, transparency, accountability, and the rule of law', said Wanjala.
Wanjala, who doubles as the Deputy Director of Kenya Judicial Academy [KJA], said they are drafting the KJA Bill to anchor the Academy in law and provide for its administration. The Academy, he said, will help to equip every judicial officer with the capacity, the confidence, and the critical thinking required to respond decisively and ethically to technological change.
On her part, Registrar of Magistrates Courts Caroline Kabuchu tasked judicial officers to dissect the nuances of digital evidence in court and demand a cautious level of scrutiny and expertise. Kabuchu called on Officers to uphold the principles of professionalism and ethical standards which will help safeguard against the currents of technological overreach and ethical compromise.
The latest plans align with the Judiciary's commitment to accelerate the adoption of technology to render its services faster, a necessity which was driven by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.