Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has affirmed that Magistrates’ Courts
must leverage advancements made in the rollout of Information Communication
Technology in the Judiciary to enhance access to justice.
The DCJ, who spoke at the end of the Heads of Station Forum in Kisii County
said solutions provided by the Data Tracking dashboard and e-filing will enhance
performance and accountability in the institution.
“The use of data and ICT to enhance individual accountability and to improve performance is here to stay. I
would urge us all to recognize this and do the right thing,” DCJ Mwilu asserted.
She underscored the importance of performance-based output, commonly
referred to as Performance Management and Measurement Understandings
(PMMU) as a cornerstone of the Judiciary’s efficiency.
“As Heads of Station, you must engage with the implementation of your station’s
PMMU with the utmost seriousness, sincerity and with an attitude of
improvement and efficient, people centred service delivery,” she said.
The DCJ reminded the Heads of Station of the enormous task they bear in the
overall responsibility and accountability for administration and human resource
management including wellness and psychosocial support.
She underscored the importance of subordinate courts in access to justice saying
that “Magistrates and Kadhis’ courts are the engine of justice provision in the
Judiciary; the point of contact for the majority of Kenyans seeking justice through
the formal judicial system.
As such, Heads of Station are central to the
achievement of the Judiciary’s strategic objectives for people centred justice as
contained in the STAJ institutional vision.”
She urged the Heads of Station to practice Shared Leadership as espoused in
STAJ but not abdicate overall responsibility for the effective administration and
dispensation of justice.
“Shared leadership and inclusiveness requires that you consult, partner, allow for
robust and genuine public participation and within constitutional confines and in
the spirit of interdependence, enhance the ability of all actors to effectively realise
their respective mandates.”
DCJ Mwilu observed that the role of Heads of Station has gone beyond hearing
matters in the courtroom under STAJ and focusing on ‘people-centredness’ with
a key aspect of this reality being the plurality of justice provision and the agency
and justice capabilities of people and communities in addressing their own justice
concerns.
“As Heads of Station, you are not only adjudicators, you are justice promoters,
connectors and facilitators. Cognisant of the particular justice needs and avenues
in your constituency, be deliberate, innovative and collaborative developing
people-centred activities and interventions that will have socially transformative
impacts within these communities.
Speaking during the same forum, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Winfridah
Mokaya noted the need to increase the public and stakeholders understanding of
the work the courts do. She observed that there is need for each and every court
to have a way of reporting directly to the local community.
“Once the Chief Justice has constituted the State of the Judiciary and
Administration of Justice Report (SOJAR) Committee for this year, we will work
to develop a framework for reporting by stations to their immediate stakeholders
at the local level to facilitate more meaningful engagement with our work. Deeper
understanding of our work at this level can increase confidence in the Judiciary,
foster better understanding of our success and challenges and help with our
resource mobilization.”
Further the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary noted that the Judiciary will increase
its uptake of green energy. “Power supply is a big challenge in many stations.
Many stations have raised concerns about the solar back up. We will prioritize
having a reliable solar power solution which can be deployed in as many stations
as are in need.”
