CJ Koome Launches Judiciary Digital Reforms to Speed Up Justice

Chief Justice Martha Koome has launched a raft of justice sector reforms aimed at enhancing coordination, improving service delivery and accelerating Kenya's transition to a fully digital and paperless justice system.

Speaking during the launch of the reforms and the opening of the 38th National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) meeting in Mombasa, Koome said technology would play a central role in making justice more accessible, transparent and efficient. 

Koome said the Judiciary has already integrated its Case Tracking System with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions' Uadilifu Case Management System, while also establishing digital platforms for the Kenya Prisons Service, Probation and Aftercare Service, and other justice sector agencies to enable seamless sharing of information. 
"The time has come for us, as a justice sector, to embrace electronically authenticated documents and progressively transition away from paper-based processes. This shift will reduce delays, improve efficiency, and bring us closer to a truly paperless justice system," Koome said. 

The Chief Justice also unveiled Standard Operating Procedures on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, People-Centred Justice Guidelines, and other policy instruments designed to improve access to justice and strengthen collaboration among justice institutions.

Koome noted that survivors of gender-based violence should never suffer secondary victimization due to weak coordination among agencies. 
She urged stakeholders to focus on implementing the reforms, saying their success would depend on tangible improvements experienced by Kenyans seeking justice rather than the number of policies launched.

"The public does not experience the justice system as separate institutions... Our responsibility is to ensure that the justice chain functions as one coherent system—efficient, coordinated, accountable and centered on the needs of the people," she said. 
On elections, Koome further called on justice sector institutions to begin early coordination to safeguard constitutionalism, protect citizens' rights and ensure the timely resolution of election disputes. 

She said election preparedness goes beyond the management of polls and requires the entire justice system to work together to uphold the rule of law.

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