The high court in Eldoret has urged family members involved in bitter land and succession disputes to seek mediation instead of moving to the courts.
Justice Reuben Nyakund of the high court in Eldoret told disagreeing parties to consider mediation to help the judiciary in reducing the backlog of cases in courts.
According to the judge, succession and land-related disputes could be better handled through mediation as one way of achieving unity and peace among the family members involved.
Justice Nyakundi was addressing the press after attending a one-day meeting with members of the national steering committee on the implementation of the Alternative Justice System policy at an Eldoret hotel.
The sensitisation forum was also graced by Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor John Barorot, Edwin Bett, the county Secretary and Eldoret Resident Magistrate Rosemary Onkoba.
Nyakundi expressed concern over the heavy backlog of succession and land cases in North Rift region courts that involve family members saying that it was prudent for such matters to be handed over to court-annexed mediators.
He argued that the move would lead to a win-win situation since the two disagreeing parties would sit together and reach a settlement that would be acceptable to themselves.
“We are suggesting that close family members wrangling over the estates left behind by their kin embrace mediation since the process will give them a win-win situation,” added the judge.
He said the Judiciary is working closely with the county governments to spread the gospel of mediation to promote access to justice by members of the public at the grassroots level.
“We want to partner with devolved units and other sectors of the national government in creating awareness to the public and encouraging them to use the alternative justice system route in solving most of their disagreements instead of going to court,” added Justice Nyakundi.
The deputy governor reiterated the county government’s commitment to collaborating with the Judiciary to promote the Alternative Justice System.
Barorot said the collaboration will involve the judiciary establishing its operations in all six subcounties to provide a platform for citizens accessing the services.
He said that in return, the county will provide office spaces and equip them with internet connectivity to enhance the provision of these critical services to residents.
Barorot expressed his approval of the judiciary's initiative and emphasized timely collaboration to help it reduce the piling of cases in courts.
"We are pleased that the Judiciary is committed to providing justice to people at the grassroots level, and our county's role will be to act as a catalyst and enabler of a smooth process by providing office space and connectivity," he said.
He further observed that once the Alternative Justice System is operationalized in all subcounties, its impact will be significant, allowing beneficiaries to have their concerns addressed within the comfort of their communities.