Africa-Press – Kenya. Chief Justice Martha Koome has lauded the judiciary staff and by extension the arm’s stakeholders for their collaboration throughout the year.
In a statement on December 31, Koome said it was through their support and partnership that the courts were able to challenges related to human resources, finance and infrastructure, that face the judiciary.
“I thank all the Judges, Judicial Officers and Judiciary Staff for the hard work and outstanding service to the people of Kenya throughout the year,” CJ Koome said.
“I am grateful to the remarkable collaboration from our stakeholders that include the Judicial Service Commission, the Executive, the Legislature, state agencies, actors in the justice sector and development partners.”
The CJ said the efforts put together by the Judiciary and the stakeholders saw that the arm’s financial independence was bolstered.
In April, the Judiciary was among the gainers in the 2022-2023 budget presented in Parliament by former Treasury CS Ukur Yatani.
The Judiciary was allocated Sh18.5 billion, which is an extra Sh1 billion from the 17.7 billion it received in the 2021-2022 financial year.
Since his win, President William Ruto said his government will increase the Judiciary budget by an additional Sh3 billion for the next five years in a bid to make courts financially independent.
Ruto said the budget will help construct the necessary infrastructure needed.
The President saw to the appointment of judges in the Court of Appeal and the High Court, and other judicial staff.
Koome acknowledged this, saying the Judiciary has strengthened its human resource capacity.
“Our infrastructural and digitalisation agenda remains on track. Moreover, the rollout of our special courts targeting vulnerable groups will ensure an enabling environment that facilitates the delivery of justice,” she said.
The courts include the Small Claims Courts and the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence courts.
The Small Claims Court was set up and established in 11 locations across Kenya. The stations are Machakos, Kajiado, Nyeri, Naivasha, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa, Thika, and Meru.
Eight more courts are under construction and are to be completed by June 2023.
CJ Koome said the Judiciary is now set to deliver its mandate to Kenyans.
“I look to the year 2023 as the year when all courts will attain our strategic target and commitment to Kenyans of ensuring that no case remains in the trial court for more than three years and no more than one year of appeal,” she said.
Koome assured Kenyans that the Judiciary will deliver its mandate and uphold the rule of law competently and impartially.
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