Chief Justice Martha Koome has launched a High Court sub-registry and E-filing at new Maralal Law Courts building in Samburu County.
All these was launched at the new high court building that was also officially opened at the same function.
Koome said the launch of the High Court building was a manifestation of collective ambition to foster Social Transformation through Access to Justice.
The launch of the High Court sub-registry will significantly reduce the distance covered by litigants to approximately 100 kilometres, since the distance to the nearest High Court located at Nanyuki is over 300 kilometres.
Koome also rolled out the digital filing of cases in Samburu, making it the eighth county to have the e-filing system operationalised.
CJ Martha Koome with Samburu women
She said that the e-filing system is designed to streamline the process of filing of cases and pleadings, track the case, and improve the overall experience for litigants and legal practitioners.
“With the launch of this e-filing system in Samburu county, we are embracing the principles of transparency, accountability, and responsiveness, which are fundamental to the rule of law and the administration of justice,” Koome said
Koome noted that the Judiciary e-filing system had been integrated with the Uadilifu e-system operated by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and it is expected that other justice sector agencies will also create interoperability.
She acknowledged concerns on the potential of ‘digital exclusion’ given the reality of unequal access to technologies and lack of knowledge or ability to use the technologies by sections of court users, but said the Judiciary was embracing innovation to ensure inclusivity.
“Some of the steps being taken include the use of Judiciary dedicated desks and spaces at Huduma Centres to facilitate access to internet for e-filling and virtual courts and establishment of e-filling and Case Tracking System support centres in all court stations,” she said.
CJ Martha Koome with Justice Isaac Lenaola
Present at the launch were Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit and Supreme court judge Isaac Lenaola.
In his speech, Lelelit said Samburu County was one of the largest counties, yet it only had one court in Maralal.
“We are willing to provide land and build courts in Wamba and Baragoi but I urge the Chief Justice to post magistrates in these areas to especially deal with land matters,” Governor Lelelit said.
Photo Credit:/ Judiciary
