Homa Bay residents should embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanism to help the courts reduce case backlogs, Homa Bay judge Waweru Kiarie has said.
The judge said land cases and family inheritance disputes have dragged in courts for more than 10 years because of internal disagreements.
Kiarie said such matters can easily be addressed through mediation and ensure the warring parties remain united and peaceful in the society.
Mediation is undertaken by people who are impartial and understand both the parties involved in the conflict.
“Let residents know that not all cases should be tried in court. Disputes between warring brothers over land or any inheritance can best be solved by mediators because the locals understand them well,” Kiarie said.
Speaking during the Judiciary Open Day in Homa Bay town on Thursday, Kiarie together with Homa Bay executive member for Education Martin Opere urged residents to frequently seek courts services to enable them know how to handle Judiciary matters.
Kiarie said they had laid down proper strategies for engaging aggrieved residents through the court annexed mediation.
This involves mediation which is presided over by mediators who are recognised by court.
“There are laid down proper mechanisms for undertaking court annexed mediation. We can assign mediators to preside over cases which deserve mediation hence residents need to embrace it for faster dispute resolutions,” Kiarie said.
He said acceptance of the court annexed mediation will help in reducing backlog of cases in courts.
The judge told residents to report any Judiciary official who solicits bribe from them to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
“We don’t condone corruption and any resident told to give a bribe should report to the DCI. We don’t support corruption,” Kiarie said.
Opere who represented Governor Gladys Wanga in the function, urged the Judiciary to establish courts in every subcounty of Homa Bay.
The executive member said Homa Bay is affected by sexual and gender-based violence which should be solved amicably.
“We call on the Judiciary to establish courts in every subcounty by giving the first priority to Rangwe. Homa Bay is affected by many cases of gender-based violence which requires faster redress,” Opere said.
