The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Musinga, has urged Kenyans to engage in open dialogue with the Judiciary. Speaking at the launch of Judicial Dialogue Week at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, Justice Musinga acknowledged the pressing issue of backlogged cases in the courts. He emphasized that only by listening to the public can the Judiciary enhance its services to meet the needs of the people more effectively.
The Judicial Dialogue Week provided a unique platform for the Judiciary to reflect on its performance, deliberate on solutions to current challenges, and chart a course toward better service delivery. Justice Musinga stated, “It is only by listening to each other that we can see how we can serve better and improve our services.” This initiative aims to ensure that justice is not only done but is seen to be done, efficiently and with the highest standards of integrity.
Judges present at the event highlighted the importance of dialogue in resolving disputes and ensuring lasting solutions. Justice Joram Abuodha of the Employment and Labour Relations Court called on trade unions and activists to bring labour-related cases to court for arbitration and the formulation of Collective Bargaining Agreements. His message underscored the critical role of courts in fostering harmonious industrial relations through dialogue.
Justice Isaac Lenaola, while acknowledging the tension between the Judiciary and certain sectors of society, urged advocates to actively participate in these dialogues. He expressed disappointment at the absence of many legal professionals who could have contributed to the discussions. Despite the criticism directed at the Judiciary, Justice Lenaola reaffirmed that judges uphold a high level of integrity and encouraged the public to share their views, both positive and negative, to improve the system.
As part of the efforts to tackle the backlog of cases, Justice Lenaola revealed that the Judiciary will employ an additional 16 magistrates. This, coupled with enhanced cooperation with other stakeholders, aims to streamline case processing and reduce delays. Lenaola also encouraged the public to consider alternative dispute resolution methods to prevent cases from overwhelming the courts.
The launch of the Judicial Dialogue Week marks a significant step towards fostering transparency, accountability, and trust in the justice system. By promoting open communication, the Judiciary seeks to improve public understanding of judicial processes, enhance access to justice, and strengthen the relationship between the courts and the people they serve. Kenyans were further encouraged to visit the Judiciary’s website, where they can register complaints and compliments, enabling the institution to continuously improve its services based on public feedback.
