Chief Justice Martha Koome on Wednesday, February 8, directed Magistrates and Kadhis Courts to strictly enforce the no-adjournment policy in all cases they handle.
The Chief Justice warned that members of the public were getting uneasy with numerous cases of aborted justice within the courts.
While addressing the second Annual Magistrates and Kadhis Colloquium, Koome urged the courts to give priority to cases that have been pending in the system for more than three years.
"The dysfunctionality in one area will affect the whole chain of administration of justice in the country.
"This is illustrated mostly in the criminal justice system, especially, when the prosecution fails to bring witnesses or when the investigations are not done properly, yet it is us in the Judiciary who are always blamed," CJ Koome lamented.
The colloquium that was attended by the president of the Law Society of Kenya Eric Theuri, brought together opinion leaders, activists and members of the Judiciary.
The Chief Justice warned Judges and Magistrates that courts must also promote proper handling of cause lists, to help in case management.
"I will once again reiterate that the court returns are crucial given that we are in the era of data that gives insights to all our operations.
"Daily returns are, therefore, key to monitoring our performance, and should be submitted consistently," CJ Koome reiterated.
Koome warned Judges that failure to file daily returns amounts to subversion of the justice system, and as such, appropriate action would be taken by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
"If anybody filed a case so that they may later come and adjourn it, it's important to know that they filed the case so that it can be determined by a competent judge.
"Such a case will be heard and a date will be set for hearing, but if you don't want it heard then we will give you an opportunity to withdraw it, and if you can't withdraw it, the case will be dismissed, and tell them that it is the Chief Justice who direct as such," Koome asserted.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya Katrin Hagemann who accompanied the CJ to the colloquium noted that Europe is investing in the local justice system.
"For us, that means enhancing digital services and solutions with high levels of technology to assist the justice sector," Katrin Hagemann noted.
Katrin revealed that the European Union will commence the second phase of the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery (PLEAD II), which supports the criminal justice system, in March 2023.
"Our main interest is in ensuring justice for children, victims of gender-based violence, fight against corruption and enhancing witness protection," Katrin Hagemann noted.
The European Union seeks to invest Ksh4.7 billion in Kenya's justice system in order to enhance the development of the Judiciary.
Ruto Appoints New Chief of Defence Forces Breaking News
