Operations at the Eldoret City courts, along with other judicial facilities in the North Rift region, have come to a standstill due to an acute shortage of essential supplies. The lack of basic necessities such as stationery, including papers, pens, and files, has paralyzed court functions for several months, with the crisis reaching a critical point.
According to judicial officers in the region, the shortage has worsened since May this year, when the courts stopped receiving funding. As a result, judges, magistrates, and court staff have been forced to dip into their personal finances to procure even the most basic materials needed for court operations. In one instance, a judicial officer had to adjourn cases and go to town on Monday to purchase pens, papers, and files, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Eldoret’s Chief Magistrate, Denmis Mikoyani, confirmed that the court operations have been heavily impacted by the funding shortage. “It’s true we have not received funding since May, and this has greatly affected our operations,” Mikoyani said. He added that the lack of supplies has disrupted case processing, with court officials unable to properly file new cases or attend to other administrative tasks.
The shortage of stationery is only one part of the problem. Basic utilities are also under threat. The Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) had threatened to disconnect the water supply to the courts due to non-payment of bills. Magistrate Mikoyani pleaded with the water firm to refrain from disconnecting the service while the judiciary worked to resolve the issue. In response, ELDOWAS Commercial Services Manager Fredrick Kosgei confirmed that the water supply to the courts had been temporarily spared after negotiations with judicial officials. “We agreed on the way forward and did not disconnect the water to the courts,” said Kosgei.
The lack of funding has also led to a backlog of pending refunds for witnesses and the depletion of basic amenities, such as toilet paper and soap. A spot check by The Star revealed that some judicial staff are operating without files on their desks for new cases, which require the fresh filing of documents. Court staff have resorted to using papers and files sparingly, but there has been no replenishment of these supplies for months.
The impact of these shortages extends beyond the courtroom. Services such as cleaning and the fueling of court vehicles have also been disrupted due to the funding gap. Magistrates in the region have raised concerns that if the situation persists, they may be forced to halt operations entirely. This would significantly affect the delivery of justice in the region, further aggravating an already strained judicial system.
The lack of funding for the judicial sector is a widespread issue, affecting not just Eldoret, but courts across Kenya. The failure to provide adequate resources has created a backlog of cases and strained the ability of the judiciary to operate effectively. The shortage of supplies in Eldoret highlights the dire need for timely and consistent funding for courts, which is essential to ensure that the judicial process is not impeded.
As the judicial officers continue to bear the financial burden of purchasing essential supplies, the situation has become untenable. Court operations, which are crucial for maintaining law and order, are at risk of total collapse if the funding shortage is not addressed urgently. Magistrates and court staff have called on the government and relevant authorities to prioritize the judiciary’s funding to ensure that essential services continue without interruption.
In conclusion, the current state of affairs at the Eldoret City courts serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Kenya’s judicial system. With the lack of essential supplies and mounting financial pressure, there is an urgent need for the government to step in and provide the necessary resources to restore the functionality of the courts. If the situation remains unresolved, the consequences for the administration of justice in the North Rift could be far-reaching.
