NCAJ to eliminate administration of justice bottlenecks

The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) has assured Kenyans that it will eliminate bottlenecks that hinder effective administration of justice to build a people-centred justice system for all.

The Chief Justice Martha Koome said that the NCAJ will remain steadfast in implementing priority programmes for reforming and improving service delivery in the justice sector as outlined in the 2023/24 Administration of Justice in Kenya Report.

In a speech read on her behalf by the NCAJ Vice Chair DPP Renson Ingonga during the launch of the Administration of Justice in Kenya Annual Report, the CJ said the aim of the report was to consolidate gains realised and sustain a robust systems-based approach for timely service delivery and response to emerging issues in the justice sector.

Justice Koome highlighted other areas of focus including a commitment to upholding human rights, enhanced climate action, and continuous technology adoption.

“With strengthened collaborations, we are confident that the NCAJ and its member agencies will achieve greater milestones. Harnessing technology and advancing systems integration will be critical enablers, allowing us to streamline processes and deliver services efficiently and transparently across the justice chain,” the CJ said.

The CJ said that the NCAJ remains committed to enhanced justice sector coordination, deepening criminal and civil justice reform, strengthening access to justice for the vulnerable, ensuring the efficient administration of justice at the grassroots through Court Users Committees (CUCs), effective monitoring and evaluation of sectoral programs, and heightened stakeholders’ engagement.

“At the grassroots, our citizen-centric efforts have enabled widespread accessibility to justice services, particularly through the CUCs, which play a transformative role in the lives of ordinary Kenyans. The CUCs continue to be the backbone of our outreach, and today, I am especially pleased to recognise the exemplary performance of three CUCs, namely Maralal, Kabarnet, and Mpeketoni CUCs,” CJ Koome.

She urged NCAJ institutions, stakeholders, Development Partners and Civil Society Organizations to target the implementation of priority programmes outlined in the report.

The CJ said the report is a testament to our shared journey towards a more coordinated, transparent and people-centred justice system. Moreover, the report marks a celebration of our continued commitment to reforming and strengthening Kenya’s justice system.

“Specifically, I urge the National Treasury to support the justice sector agencies with requisite resources to carry out their programmes efficiently and effectively. In FY 2023/24, the budget deficit adversely affected service delivery to Kenyans,” CJ Koome urged.

Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya who is the NCAJ Secretary noted that the report captures the achievements and milestones realised by the Council in its efforts to ensure a coordinated, efficient, and effective approach to justice and to drive reforms across the justice sector adding that it is a testament to NCAJ’s commitment to strengthening justice in Kenya and is prepared in compliance with Section 37 of the Judicial Service Act.

“The annual report we launch today is more than a statutory requirement; it represents the foundation of strong collaboration within the justice sector. We have learned the importance of enhancing our coordination mechanisms and reinforcing our reform agenda, both in policy and in operational efficiency,” said the CRJ Mokaya.

Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Chairperson Council of Governors, recognized the success of the Alternative Justice Systems at the county level and urged the justice actors to look beyond the four walls of the courtroom.

“Indeed, Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms have proven to be the best non -confrontational pathways to resolution of conflicts within the local communities. In this regard, I posit that let us promote the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,” Mr Ahmed said.

JLAC chairperson Hon George Murugara said to attain an efficient justice system, NCAJ and the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs will further their collaboration in a bid to identify and recommend budgetary, policy and legislative interventions vital to the effective administration of justice.

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