The Judiciary has moved swiftly to address concerns regarding the operations of courts in Eldoret, North Rift, assuring the public that there is no crisis and that services continue to run smoothly. This statement comes in response to a report by The Star, which had raised alarms over claims of a severe shortage of funds affecting the functioning of the Eldoret Court. According to the Judiciary’s communication unit, the necessary resources to run the courts in the first quarter of the 2024/25 fiscal year have already been released, dispelling rumors of a funding crisis.
The Judiciary has firmly denied allegations that court operations had come to a halt due to a lack of essential supplies such as paper, pens, and other office essentials. In a statement, the institution clarified that all courts in Eldoret and the larger North Rift region were well-equipped and fully operational. “There is no paralysis of services due to a shortage of stationery or any other essential items,” the statement read. The Judiciary also assured the public that it had made partial payments for the second quarter, further confirming that funds had been allocated to ensure seamless court operations.
The controversy began with a report from The Star, which quoted Eldoret Chief Magistrate Dennis Mikoyani. Mikoyani had confirmed that the courts were facing significant financial constraints, particularly since May, and this had affected their daily operations. He noted that the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) had threatened to disconnect the water supply to the court due to unpaid bills, exacerbating the situation. Mikoyani had urged the water company not to go ahead with the disconnection, as the issue of bills was being resolved.
ELDOWAS commercial services manager Fredrick Kosgei later confirmed that the disconnection had been suspended after negotiations with Judiciary officials. This development helped to mitigate the immediate concern about the court’s ability to continue operating without water.
However, the Star report also highlighted other shortages, including unpaid refunds for witnesses and a lack of basic necessities like toilet paper and soap. An anonymous judge from the region stated that although they continued to use paper and files to a large extent, they had not received any new supplies for a while. This prompted the Judiciary to address these concerns directly, emphasizing that the courts were well-stocked with stationery, including pens, paper, and files. The statement also clarified that suppliers of other consumables, including cleaning services, were continuing to service the courts effectively.
The Eldoret region has five judges and over ten magistrates, all of whom had reportedly been affected by these shortages. Despite these reports, the Judiciary emphasized that these issues were being managed and that normal operations were ongoing. “We assure the public that all courts in Eldoret are up and running, and services have not been halted due to any financial constraints,” the statement concluded.
In an effort to further improve services, the Judiciary is in the process of implementing a modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which will digitize many administrative processes. The system is being rolled out in phases, with the Judiciary expressing optimism that it will revolutionize operations, making them more efficient, transparent, and accountable. While the transition to the new system has generated some public concern, the Judiciary has assured the public that feedback is being incorporated into the implementation process to ensure its successful integration.
As the Judiciary continues to embrace technology as a tool for justice, it has urged the public to support the uptake of the ERP system, citing the immense benefits it will bring to service delivery. The situation in Eldoret, the Judiciary assures, is under control, with no interruption in the delivery of justice.
