Embrace dispute resolution mechanisms that safeguard the vulnerable – Justice Hellen Omondi.
Nairobi. Wednesday, 15 April 2026. Embrace dispute resolution mechanisms that safeguard the vulnerable – Justice Hellen Omondi.
Court of Appeal Judge Lady Justice Hellen Omondi has urged members of the Judiciary to champion dispute resolution mechanisms that protect dignity and safeguard the vulnerable.
Speaking at the Strathmore University when she presided over the official opening of the Mediation Summit 2026 on behalf of Chief Justice Martha Koome, Justice Omondi said that family disputes, whether involving matrimonial property, custody, gender-based violence, or succession, often weigh most heavily on women and children.
Justice Omondi who is also the President of the International Association of Women Judges Kenya Chapter (IAWJ-Kenya), said that the association advocates for mediation that is gender-responsive, sensitive to domestic realities, and alert to power imbalances adding that mediator training must reflect these realities, and frameworks must always uphold the rights and interests of children.
“The International Association of Women Judges – Kenya Chapter (IAWJ-Kenya) is committed to advancing human rights, gender equality, and the rule of law. We believe justice must be accessible, humane, and transformative,” Justice Omondi reiterated.
She called for strong stakeholder relationships between the Judiciary, civil society, policymakers, and international partners saying that success cannot be achieved in isolation.
“Only through collaboration can we build systems that inspire trust and deliver meaningful justice,” Judge Omondi said
She added: “Through Bar-Bench and Court User Committee meetings and public sensitisation sessions, we continue to foster understanding of mediation and private settlement as practical, credible, and preferred alternatives to litigation.”
Justice Omondi noted that Court Annexed Mediation (CAM), which began as a pilot programme in the Family and Commercial Divisions in Nairobi, has since evolved into a nationwide mandate embedded in court registries across all 47 counties.
She highlighted that mediation has injected back into the economy, over Kshs. 95 billion, once tied in litigation adding however that beyond the billions, mediation has restored broken relationships, kept businesses afloat, and spared families the trauma of endless litigation.
The Judge explained that disputes are now resolved with incredible speed, maintaining a remarkable average turnaround time of just 124 days.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Hon Winfridah Mokaya who was represented by Deputy CRJ Hon Paul Ndemo reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to fulfilling its promise of transforming society by improving access to justice saying that the Judiciary has steadily expanded mediation across the country.
She noted that Mediation registries now exist in all 47 counties, adding that a total of 121 courts have mediation registries to serve the people of Kenya.
“As the Judiciary, we reaffirm that we are committed to reduce case backlog, preserving family relationships, unlocking economic value and deepening public confidence in the administration of justice.
Chairman of the Judiciary Steering Committee on Mediation and Court of Appeal Judge Aggrey Muchelule who also spoke at the summit explained that the responsibility of the Judiciary and practitioners is not just to promote mediation, but to ensure it is applied wisely, safely, and in a manner that protects the vulnerable.
He said through the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint, the courts have committed to a multi-door approach recognizing that the courtroom is not the only door, and often, it is not even the best one.”
“Since we began the pilot programme in 2016 in the family division, we have seen this “modern legal heartbeat” transform our landscape.
Justice Muchelule disclosed that the Court of Appeal has so far recorded three successful mediated outcomes since mediation was rolled out in the court this year.
He stated the Steering Committee on Mediation will prioritize training on screening and referral of disputes and knowing when to say: this case is not suitable for mediation.”
The three-day summit themed ‘The Role of Mediation in Resolving Family, Children and Succession Disputes: Bringing Peace and Harmony in our Families and Society,’ has lined up various topics to guide the deliberations. They include; The State of Court-Annexed Mediation in Kenya; Key Achievements and the Strategic Roadmap of the Judiciary on Mediation; Mediation as the African way of resolving family disputes; and Redefining the stakeholders’ role in Amicable Settlements, among others.
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