Court stakeholders in Kajiado County on Friday joined members of the public to mark the National Judiciary Dialogue Day, emphasising the need for enhanced accountability, improved service delivery, and greater public awareness of court processes.
The forum, held at the Kajiado Law Courts, brought together judicial officers, law enforcement agencies, civil society groups, and residents to discuss practical ways of strengthening the justice system.
This year’s theme, “Enhancing Cultures, Strengthening Justice”, highlighted the role of Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) in bridging the gap between communities and judicial institutions, particularly in culturally diverse counties such as Kajiado.
Speaking during the event, Kajiado Law Courts Chief Magistrate Roseline Oganyo said that 41,357 cases had been concluded countrywide in the High Court over the past year.
In Kajiado, she noted, 155 cases were resolved out of 558 filed at the High Court, while the magistrate’s court concluded 3,110 cases, leaving 6,015 pending, translating to an 81 per cent case clearance rate.
Ms. Oganyo attributed the progress to close collaboration among stakeholders, emphasising that teamwork is key to effective justice delivery. “The wheel of justice cannot be run by one institution alone. Every stakeholder has a role to play in ensuring the system works,” she said.
Senior Resident Magistrate Naomi Wanja urged participants to present practical proposals to improve court services, noting that dialogue and engagement are essential in strengthening court-user relations.
She encouraged members of the public to familiarise themselves with bail and bond procedures, succession matters, traffic and criminal cases, fine payment systems, and access to virtual case files.
Ms Wanja also highlighted the impact of digital transformation in the judiciary, citing the introduction of e-filing and virtual courts, which have improved access to justice in the expansive county. She said 9,719 files had so far been digitised, easing case tracking and reducing incidents of lost records.
Residents also shared concerns and suggestions during the forum.
Mr Jamal Hassan from Majengo called for the establishment of mobile courts in Namanga to curb rising human and drug trafficking cases.
Mr Edward Mumeita of Ildamat Ward urged the judiciary to expand legal aid services for disadvantaged groups, noting that many women and girls are denied justice due to poverty and cultural barriers. He, however, praised the introduction of alternative justice systems and children’s courts in Kajiado, terming them a major step toward inclusivity.
Boda boda operator Evans Nyongesa called for closer collaboration between courts and children’s officers to protect vulnerable victims from intimidation and retaliation.
The event was attended by representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Prison Department, the National Police Service, and members of the public. Organisers said the dialogue provided a platform for open engagement, enabling residents to interact with legal practitioners and gain a deeper understanding of the justice system.
By Lauryn Nailantei
