Koome explains hurdles blocking timely justice

Chief Justice Martha Koome/ HANDOUT

Chief Justice Martha Koome has highlighted several challenges that judicial officers face in their line of duty, which hinder the timely delivery of justice.

In a video statement on X, the CJ noted that these challenges contribute to delays in the legal process, ultimately affecting public confidence in the judiciary.

One of the key concerns she raised was the frequent postponement of cases, which, she argued, prolongs legal proceedings and slows down the judicial process.

“One of the major issues raised by court users is the frequency of adjournments, many of which are avoidable,” she said.

“Frequent adjournments not only delay justice but also contribute to growing public frustration and erode confidence in our courts.”

Koome also pointed out the tendency of parties to overload court schedules by listing an excessive number of cases daily, sometimes as many as 50.

She noted that this practice leads to long delays and, in many instances, results in cases not being heard at all.

“What this means is that there are long delays, and in many cases, some of those matters are not even reached,” she stated.

She further emphasized that such practices are unfair to litigants and advocates, who often spend long hours in court without making progress on their cases.

To address this issue, she urged judicial officers to schedule a manageable number of cases per day in accordance with the court’s capacity, ensuring timely hearings and case resolutions.

Additionally, the Chief Justice underscored the importance of public scrutiny in assessing service delivery and judicial integrity.

She described this as a moment for reflection and an opportunity for reforms.

"We have said many times that justice cannot be for sale, that justice cannot be compromised for anything," she said.

"It is for this reason that we are intensifying our focus on improving case management and ensuring that court users are not subjected to delays or administrative inefficiencies."