Chief Justice Koome Calls for Stronger Court Management to Enhance Judicial Excellence.

Chief Justice Martha Koome has underscored the critical role of effective court station management in strengthening judicial excellence, improving service delivery, and enhancing public trust in the Judiciary.
Speaking during the opening of the 2026 Annual Heads of Station Forum in Meru, the Chief Justice noted that court stations remain the primary gateway to justice for most Kenyans. She observed that Magistrates’ Courts and Small Claims Courts handle the majority of cases filed within the Judiciary.
CJ Koome revealed that nearly 85 percent of all cases in Kenya are resolved at the subordinate court level, highlighting the importance of efficient and responsive station management in promoting access to justice as envisioned under Article 48 of the Constitution and the Judiciary’s Social Transformation Through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint.
She said the effectiveness of the Judiciary is directly linked to the efficiency of court management systems, adding that well-managed court stations promote public confidence, accountability, and timely delivery of justice, while weak management contributes to delays and erodes trust in the institution.
To strengthen institutional capacity, the Chief Justice cited the recent swearing-in of 98 Resident Magistrates and Adjudicators recruited by the Judicial Service Commission. She described the recruitment as a major step toward addressing workload pressures and reducing case backlog across court stations.
However, she cautioned that increased staffing alone would not guarantee excellence without strong management practices, effective supervision, and accountability mechanisms.
The Chief Justice further urged Heads of Station to prioritize performance measurement and court health monitoring. She emphasized the need to track pending cases, clearance rates, adjournment trends, and barriers to case progression, noting that data-driven management is essential in improving efficiency and responding proactively to emerging challenges.
On the persistent challenge of case backlog, CJ Koome called on court leaders to implement practical interventions, including regular case audits, backlog reduction initiatives, strict adherence to timelines, and prioritization of older matters.
She stressed that backlog management is not merely a judicial issue, but also a leadership and administrative responsibility that requires discipline, innovation, and continuous monitoring.

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Видео Chief Justice Koome Calls for Stronger Court Management to Enhance Judicial Excellence. канала Kenya Digital News