Judiciary launches e-filing in Kisumu, Siaya and Homa Bay

The Judiciary has launched e-filing programme in Kisumu, Siaya and Homa Bay counties to enhance efficiency in service delivery.

This comes after a successful launch of the exercise in Nairobi and Mombasa which has saved litigants a lot of time traveling to physically file cases.

According to Chief Justice Martha Koome, this is not just an advancement in technology but a quantum leap in accessibility and efficiency within the justice system.

"No longer will our people be hindered by geographical constraints or the burden of time-consuming journeys to physically submit pleadings and legal documents to courts," she said.

Koome said the process will now be as straightforward as a click of a button, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"E-filing is an assurance that the pillars of justice stand tall and firm in the digital age, ensuring that justice remains within everyone's reach," she said.

The Chief Justice also inaugurated the Small Claims Court in Kisumu saying this was yet another significant milestone.

She noted that the SCC is a court for the common mwananchi, a court that acknowledges that every claim, no matter how small, deserves its day in court.

Koome noted that they recognise the significance of every dispute, every concern and every injustice, no matter the monetary value.

She further noted that the SCC ensures the speedy resolution of commercial disputes by resolving commercial disputes of values of less than Sh1 million shillings within 60 days.

"This will enable our entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best, innovating, creating jobs and driving economic growth. It is a critical cog in our drive to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and to spur economic growth in Siaya county and beyond."

Koome noted that the justice reforms do not end within the confines of courtrooms and urged all there residents of Kisumu to embrace multi-door approach to access to justice.

This encompasses court-annexed mediation and Alternative Justice Systems (AJS).

The Court-annexed mediation, Koome said, offers a path to resolution that promotes harmony, mutual respect and consensus.

It's a space where litigants can sit down and talk through their disagreements, steering away from adversarial litigation, fostering reconciliation and enhancing societal harmony.

She said the Alternative Justice Systems embody their commitment to the diverse cultural fabric of Kenya.

"These systems provide justice rooted in local customs and traditions, providing resolutions to disputes in a familiar and respectful context," Koome observed.

Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathew Owili noted that launching of the e-filling is a clear sign that the Judiciary is ever more looking forward in its quest in the administration and delivery of justice with the aim of  enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.

Owili said the justice sector has the opportunity to use technology not only to offer a better way of performing existing practices but also present the potential for creating new practices and essentially changing the way justice administration delivers services. 

"It is our hope that this technological advancement will solely be used to improve case management and other aspects of service delivery within the judicial system," he said.