Chief Justice Martha Koome has called for an urgent increase in the Judiciary’s budgetary allocation, citing a lack of resources as a significant barrier to delivering justice efficiently. Speaking at a judicial forum during the Family Court Open Day, Koome emphasized that without adequate funding, the Judiciary struggles to perform its constitutional duties effectively.
Koome highlighted the direct impact of resource constraints on the quality and timeliness of legal services in Kenya. The Chief Justice noted that the Judiciary’s limited funding affects its capacity to hire sufficient magistrates and judges, which ultimately hampers the resolution of cases. She pointed to the Chief Magistrate’s Family Court at Milimani Law Courts, which opened in January 2023, as a success story of what can be achieved with the right resources. The court has resolved over 20,000 family-related cases, significantly outpacing the High Court, which has handled fewer than 4,000 family cases within the same period.
The Family Court handles family disputes involving amounts up to Ksh. 20 million and serves as a critical institution for expediting family-related legal matters. Koome expressed the Judiciary’s desire to expand this model to all court stations across the country. She further noted the success of Kenya’s specialized gender justice courts, of which there are currently 12, and the hope to scale this initiative to 47, ensuring each county has access to gender-focused justice services. However, Koome lamented that these aspirations are hindered by inadequate funding.
In her remarks, the Chief Justice urged stakeholders to rally behind the Judiciary’s call for increased funding, stressing that it is crucial for fulfilling its constitutional mandate. “If we had the resources, we could employ the necessary personnel and replicate the success seen in Milimani across every court station,” she said. Koome’s call to action is a plea for long-term investments in the Judiciary to ensure equitable and timely access to justice for all Kenyans.
