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CJ calls for urgent action to combat SGBV, Bungoma

Chief Justice Martha Koome has called for strong action to be taken to curtail the prevalence of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). She said the menace has now reached alarming and devastating levels creating a dangerous impact on communities in the Western region of the country. Speaking in Bungoma during an engagement with members of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Bungoma Court Users Committee (CUC) attended by Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya and Presiding Judge of Bungoma Lady Justice Emily Ominde, the Chief Justice described the prevalence of SGBV in the county as deeply concerning, noting...

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Early Pregnancy a Child Justice Crisis in Bungoma – CJ Koome

Chief Justice Martha Koome has described early pregnancy as a major child justice crisis in Bungoma County, calling for urgent, coordinated action to protect children and ensure justice for survivors. Speaking during an engagement with Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, the Chief Justice revealed that Bungoma Law Courts currently have 125 pending defilement cases, underscoring the scale of the challenge. She emphasized that addressing the crisis requires a whole-of-society approach. “Such a societal problem cannot be handled by one actor. It is a collective responsibility. I call for the establishment of a County Action Plan bringing together the Judiciary, the County Government, the Children’s...

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CJ Reaffirms Commitment to a Corruption-Free Judiciary During Kakamega Court Engagement

Chief Justice Martha Koome reaffirmed the Judiciary's unwavering commitment to eliminating corruption within the justice system, assuring members of the public and justice sector stakeholders that the Judiciary will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Speaking during an engagement with members of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and Court Users Committee (CUC) at the Kakamega Law Courts, the Chief Justice emphasized that there is no place for corruption in the Judiciary. She called on members of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), through the Court Users Committee, to remain vigilant and promptly report any instances of...

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CJ Koome and Kakamega Governor Barasa discuss justice delivery in the region

CJ Martha Koome today met with Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa to discuss justice delivery in Kakamega County and the Western region. The Chief Justice noted that the establishment of a Court of Appeal in Kakamega has greatly enhanced access to appellate justice in the region and pointed out that more than 1000 matters are already being handled in the court. Further, CJ Koome emphasized that Kakamega is one of the large courts in the country. There are subordinate courts, a High Court with three Judges, Environment and Land Court as well as Employment and Labour Relations Court. In addition, a Small...

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CJ Calls for Urgent Action to Address Rising SGBV Cases in Vihiga

Chief Justice Martha Koome has called on justice sector stakeholders in Vihiga County to work together to address the rising cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), noting that the county records some of the highest numbers of such cases in the country. Speaking during a meeting with Vihiga Law Courts staff and the Court Users Committee (CUC), the Chief Justice urged stakeholders to prioritize SGBV cases, strengthen community awareness, and establish coordinated interventions. She directed the Principal Judge to spearhead the formation of an SGBV working group within the CUC to coordinate responses to emerging issues. The Chief Justice also called...

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CJ Koome and Vihiga Governor Ottichilo engage on access to justice

CJ Martha Koome today met with the Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo of Vihiga County to engage on enhancement of justice delivery in Vihiga County and the larger Western region. Governor Otichillo highlighted the most challenging justice concerns in the region as: the rampancy of Sexual and Gender Based Violence; land issues and succession matters. The Governor particularly observed that gender based violence remains an issue of great concern. “SGBV matters are hardly processed to the end owing to lack of witnesses. There is need for the entire justice sector to engage with the community to eradicate the vice by addressing the root causes...

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CJ Launches Kisii County Alternative Justice Systems Action Plan to Expand Access to Justice

Chief Justice Martha K. Koome, officially launched the Kisii County Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) County Action Plan, the Kisii County AJS Model, the Kisii AJS Suite, and Alternative Justice Systems Registries at Kisii, Ogembo and Etago Law Courts, marking a major milestone in expanding access to justice through community-centred dispute resolution. Speaking during the event, the Chief Justice said the initiative reinforces the Judiciary's commitment to implementing Article 159 of the Constitution by promoting Alternative Justice Systems as complementary pathways for resolving disputes while upholding constitutional values, human rights and the rule of law. "The launch of these initiatives is a significant...

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AJS can boost access to justice, peace and development, says DCJ Mwilu

Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) can play a critical role in improving access to justice, strengthening social cohesion and driving economic development in Kenya’s counties, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mbete Mwilu has said. In a speech read on her behalf by the chairperson of National Steering Committee of the implementation of AJS, Justice (Prof) Joel Ngugi during the launch of the Kericho County Alternative Justice Systems County Action Plan, the Deputy Chief Justice said communities should remain central to the development and implementation of justice solutions. She said the initiative should ensure that justice begins where people live, work, raise their families, cultivate...

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CJ Unveils Bomet Alternative Justice Systems Initiative to Strengthen People-Centred Access to Justice

Bomet, Kenya – 3 August 2026 – Chief Justice Martha Koome has unveiled a comprehensive Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) framework for Bomet County, reaffirming the Judiciary's commitment to expanding access to justice through community-based, inclusive, and people-centred dispute resolution. Speaking during the launch of the Bomet County Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) County Action Plan, the Bomet County AJS Model, the Bomet AJS Suite, and the Bomet and Sotik AJS Registries, Chief Justice Koome said the initiatives embody the Judiciary's vision of Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) by ensuring that justice is accessible, affordable, timely, and responsive to the needs of...

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A New Era of Justice: Judiciary Proposes Recovery Treatment Courts

The Chief Registrar of the Judiciary and Secretary to the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), Hon. Winfridah Mokaya, presented the Judiciary’s proposal for the establishment of Recovery Treatment Courts during the Council’s 38th meeting, chaired by the Hon. Chief Justice Martha Koome. Hon. Mokaya said the proposed specialised courts would adopt a problem solving approach by addressing the underlying causes of offending, including mental illness, substance use disorders, alcoholism, and other behavioural and social challenges, rather than focusing solely on punishment. She noted that Recovery Treatment Courts bring together judges, prosecutors, defence counsel, probation officers, treatment providers, social workers...

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