We’ll maintain our independence, says CJ Koome as she unveils reforms in Judiciary

Chief Justice Martha Koome on Monday revealed a set of reforms aimed at fortifying the Kenyan Judiciary’s performance, transparency, and efficiency.

Addressing the inaugural Heads of Courts’ consultative meeting, Koome stated the critical need for these reforms in light of recent challenges faced by the judiciary.

She underscored the Judiciary’s commitment to maintaining its independence while acknowledging the public scrutiny it has faced.

Drawing attention to concerns about the handling of public interest and policy-related cases, Chief Justice Koome announced a comprehensive review of the rules of procedure.

“It is important that we reflect on our rules of procedure, especially the Constitution of Kenya (Protection of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms) Practice and Procedure Rules, 2013 and the Judicial Review Procedure Rules,” she stated, highlighting the need to ensure expeditious resolution of time-sensitive cases.

Going further, the CJ acknowledged the role of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in addressing corruption allegations within the judiciary.

“The JSC is mandated to deal with allegations of corruption, and the commission remains committed to strengthening investigative and complaints resolution processes,” she affirmed.

A significant leap into the digital era was a focal point of the announcement.

 Koome disclosed that the long-anticipated e-filing initiative is on the brink of a nationwide rollout across all court stations on March 11, 2024.

“This year will see a significant leap in leveraging technology as an enabler for the efficiency of our operations,” she added.

Furthermore, the introduction of a pilot transcription centre and a ‘Tracking Dashboard’ aims to revolutionize court proceedings.

“The courts will embrace technology to ensure the accurate and prompt transcription of court proceedings with the establishment of a pilot transcription centre,” Koome explained.

The ‘Tracking Dashboard’ is an innovative tool that will provide real-time monitoring of court activities, facilitating informed decision-making.

In addition, the  Chief Justice emphasized the transformative impact of these reforms.

 “These enhancements are pivotal in ensuring the reliability of our data, which is indispensable for informed policy-making and tracking the progress of our institutional development efforts,” Koome added.

The announced reforms signify a bold step forward for the Kenyan Judiciary, aligning with Chief Justice Koome’s vision to embrace technology, transparency, and efficiency for the benefit of the nation