Judiciary
The judiciary is set to open two new courts in Elgeyo Marakwet, one in Chesoi in Marakwet East and Chepkorio in Keiyo South. Lady justice Lucy Waithaka told a Court Users Committee (CUC) in Iten that the chief justice had already gazetted the two courts which she said will bring judicial services closer to residents of the two sub counties.
Due to the distance to Iten, residents from the two sub counties have been forced to seek justice elsewhere with those from Marakwet East going to neighbouring Trans Nzoia County while the ones from Keiyo South going to Uasin Gishu county.
The judiciary had also established a mobile court in Tot to take services to residents in the far-flung areas but it has been facing challenges due to insecurity in the area. The CUC was told that the judiciary will also establish Alternative Justice Systems in all the courts as it strives to encourage the use of AJS to decongest the courts.
The judge said the judiciary was ready to train AJS committees in the different parts of the county so that each area is able to use the AJS to handle the cases using their unique traditional ways of handling disputes.
She added that while AJS has been practiced by various communities and government agencies involved in community disputes, the judiciary seeks to strengthen them to ensure fairness and alignment with human rights standards. The court called on the police department to ensure that hearing of cases does not delay due to unavailability of investigating officers when they go on transfer or training.