Use ICT to enhance access to justice, DCJ Mwilu tells magistrates’ courts

Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has affirmed that magistrates’ courts must leverage advancements made in ICT in the Judiciary to enhance access to justice.

Speaking at the end of the Heads of Station Forum in Kisii County on Thursday, Mwilu said solutions provided by the Data Tracking dashboard and e-filing will enhance performance and accountability at the institution.

“The use of data and ICT to enhance individual accountability and to improve performance is here to stay. I would urge us all to recognise this and do the right thing,” she said.

She underscored the importance of performance-based output, commonly referred to as Performance Management and Measurement Understandings, as a cornerstone of the Judiciary’s efficiency.

“As Heads of Station, you must engage with the implementation of your station’s PMMU with the utmost seriousness, sincerity and with an attitude of improvement and efficient, people-centred service delivery,” she said.

She reminded the Heads of Station of the enormous task they bear in the overall responsibility and accountability in administration and human resource management.

She underscored the importance of subordinate courts in access to justice saying that “Magistrates and Kadhis’ courts are the engine of justice provision in the Judiciary.

Mwilu said they are the point of contact for the majority of Kenyans seeking justice through the formal judicial system.

“As such, Heads of Station are central to the achievement of the Judiciary’s strategic objectives for people-centred justice as contained in the STAJ institutional vision,” she said.

Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Winfridah Mokaya said there was a need to increase the public and stakeholders' understanding of the work the courts do.

She observed that there is a need for every court to have a way of reporting directly to the local community.

“Once the Chief Justice has constituted the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Report Committee for this year, we will work to develop a framework for reporting by stations to their immediate stakeholders at the local level to facilitate more meaningful engagement with our work," she said.

"A deeper understanding of our work at this level can increase confidence in the Judiciary, foster a better understanding of our success and challenges and help with our resource mobilisation.

Mokaya further said the Judiciary will increase its uptake of green energy.

“Power supply is a big challenge in many stations. Many stations have raised concerns about the solar backup. We will prioritise having a reliable solar power solution which can be deployed in as many stations as are in need,” she said.