Nairobi: The Kenyan government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Judiciary, enhancing access to justice, and promoting institutional accountability. Speaking during the launch of the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice report for the financial year 2024-2025, Deputy President (DP) Kithure Kindiki highlighted the administration's efforts to reinforce the independence and operational capacity of the Judiciary.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kindiki noted that the government has, within the past three years, sworn in 51 judges of the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Environment and Land Courts, with additional appointments planned to meet growing demand. 'The Judiciary is a cornerstone of our democracy. Great power comes with great responsibility, and it is our collective duty to support institutions that uphold justice for all Kenyans,' said the DP. In addition, he emphasized that this administration has prioritized funding and operational support to enhance judicial service delivery.
The source further reports that the Judiciary's budget has increased from Sh21 billion in 2022 to Sh26 billion, as collaboration continues with Parliament to ensure adequate funding for judicial operations. The DP also highlighted measures taken to secure the welfare of judges, including the operationalization of the Judiciary Fund and the progress made towards finalizing the Judges' Retirement Benefit Bill. Likewise, he explained that the law, once enacted, would safeguard the welfare of retired judges, ensuring they do not retire into poverty and that they could access essential services, including medical care.
Similarly, Kindiki reflected on the importance of judicial independence, noting four key dimensions including adjudicative independence, administrative independence, operational independence, and financial autonomy. 'Anything beyond these four areas must interact with other arms of government to maintain a functional separation of powers and ensure accountability,' he established. Kindiki also underscored the need for careful interpretation of the Constitution, stressing the hierarchy of norms that prioritizes certain provisions to safeguard national interests.
He reaffirmed the government's support for judicial reforms, stressing that the administration would continue to provide resources and oversight to ensure that the Judiciary remains independent, effective, and accountable. Speaking at the event, Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome underscored the Judiciary's progress in improving service delivery and transparency. She detailed the expansion of court infrastructure, including the establishment of new Court of Appeal sub-registries in Garissa, additional High Court stations in Isiolo and Makadara, and new magistrates' and small claims courts across the country.
Koome also highlighted the Judiciary's innovative use of mobile courts, which have brought services closer to remote communities, registering 7,872 new cases and resolving 6,791. The CJ noted the Judiciary's emphasis on alternative dispute resolution, including the expansion of Court Annex Mediation registries to 82 across Kenya, and the implementation of Alternative Justice System County Action Plans in 12 counties. These initiatives, she explained, have helped reduce pressure on formal courts, restored relationships, and improved access to justice.
She said digital transformation remains a core pillar of the Judiciary's reforms and revealed that the Judiciary has expanded the case tracking system, introduced AI-enabled transcription services, and launched a mobile application allowing litigants to track cases and access real-time updates. She stressed that these innovations have contributed to an overall improvement in case clearance rates, with pending cases reduced by 9 percent and backlogged cases older than one year declining by 30 percent.
Also speaking during the launch, Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa Dunstan Mlambo commended the Kenyan Judiciary for embracing transparency and accountability. 'The Kenyan Judiciary has demonstrated serious commitment to institutional independence, public reporting, and good governance,' he noted, pointing out that Kenya's progress serves as a model for judicial reform in the region. National Assembly Speaker Dr. Moses Wetang'ula described the report launch as both timely and transformative.
In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei, Dr. Wetang'ula mentioned that he viewed the initiative as a strong reaffirmation of the State's duty under Article 48 of the Constitution, which obligates government institutions to guarantee that justice is not hindered by cost, bureaucracy, or procedural rigidity. He observed that despite ongoing legal and institutional reforms, many Kenyans continued to encounter justice-related challenges that they cannot navigate without professional assistance.
The Speaker's remarks also highlighted Parliament's commitment to supporting the Judiciary through key legislative initiatives including the Judges' Retirement Benefit Bill, which seeks to ensure dignified retirement for judges, and the Kenyan Judiciary Academy Bill, aimed at strengthening the capacity, training, and professionalism of judicial officers and other justice sector personnel. He emphasized that both bills represented tangible support for the Judiciary in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
CJ Koome expressed appreciation for the collaborative engagement between the Judiciary, the Executive, and Parliament, which she said has been instrumental in improving service delivery and institutional accountability. She reaffirmed the Judiciary's commitment to upholding ethical standards, protecting the public from misconduct, and ensuring professional conduct across all levels of judicial service. Notably, the launch of the State of the Judiciary report also highlighted the Judiciary's efforts in civic education, public engagement, and transparency.
Initiatives such as the Judiciary Dialogue Day, open court days, and enhanced communication channels have strengthened public trust and promoted citizen participation in the justice system. These efforts, the CJ noted, are essential for maintaining the integrity and legitimacy of judicial processes. The launch of the 2024-2025 State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice report marks a significant milestone in Kenya's ongoing judicial reform journey and reflects a concerted effort by the government, Judiciary, and the Legislature to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance transparency, and uphold the rule of law, ensuring that justice is delivered efficiently and equitably across the country.