CJ Koome Urges ELRC to Take the Lead in Advancing a Paperless Judiciary
Chief Justice Martha Koome has called on the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) to take a leading role in advancing a paperless Judiciary by expanding virtual hearings and fully leveraging digital platforms to improve access, efficiency, and transparency.
Speaking during the installation of Justice Monica Mbaru as the new Principal Judge of the ELRC at Milimani, Chief Justice Koome noted that while progress has been made—particularly in recent years through the adoption of virtual proceedings—more needs to be done to fully institutionalize these gains.
“Technology remains a key enabler of judicial transformation,” she said, stressing that the Judiciary must deepen its reliance on digital tools to streamline processes and enhance service delivery.
The Chief Justice linked the push for paperless courts to broader reforms under the Judiciary’s Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) Blueprint. The initiative aims to ensure faster resolution of cases and reduce backlog, with a target that no case should remain in trial courts for more than three years.
Highlighting recent achievements, CJ Koome pointed out that the ELRC recorded an impressive case clearance rate of 132 percent in the last financial year, resolving more cases than were filed. She attributed this success partly to innovation and the growing use of technology.
However, she cautioned that sustaining and improving these gains will require continued commitment to digitization and process reforms.
The Chief Justice also encouraged the court to rethink how courts are managed, adopt localized innovations, and strengthen alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and conciliation.
“At the same time, the Court should continue to strengthen its commitment to the multi-door approach to justice. Mediation and conciliation, as provided for under the Employment and Labour Relations Court Act, are vital tools for expeditious and amicable dispute resolution. These mechanisms not only ease the burden on the courts but also promote sustainable and mutually beneficial outcomes,” she said.
Justice Koome further urged the ELRC to lead in developing jurisprudence that is socially responsive and grounded in constitutional values. She noted that such jurisprudence must serve the interests of employers, employees, and the broader society, while also contributing to the global development of labour law.
On the installation of a Principal Judge, she said it underscores the principle of shared leadership at the heart of the STAJ Blueprint.
“Leadership in the Judiciary is not vested in one individual alone; it is a collective responsibility. The Principal Judge, together with all judges and staff of the ELRC, must act as drivers of excellence—championing performance, innovation, and accountability,” she said.
Speaking at the same occasion Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu noted that the Office of the Principal Judge is one of profound responsibility. Beyond judicial excellence, the office calls for leadership that must guide the Court towards faithful discharge of its constitutional mandate and in the continuous improvement of service delivery to the people of Kenya on whose delegated behalf all judicial authority is exercised.
Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime on behalf of Alfred Mutua CS Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, said that the Employment and Labour Relations Court occupies a uniquely strategic position within the constitutional and economic framework.
“It is here that the delicate balance between the rights of workers, the obligations of employers, and the broader imperatives of economic stability is interpreted and upheld. The world of work is undergoing profound transformation driven by technological change, increased labour mobility, the rise of the gig and platform economy, and evolving employment relationships. These shifts are redefining how labour is organized, regulated, and protected, placing greater demands on our legal and institutional systems,” said PS Mwadime.
Justice Monica Mbaru, as she took Oath of Office committed to advancing the Social Transformation Through Access to Justice (STAJ) Vision. “I will champion efficiency in case management, strengthen institutional capacity, promote integrity, and support innovation within our courts. I will also prioritise access to justice for the most vulnerable and ensure that the ELRC continues to stand as a beacon of excellence,” committed Justice Monica Mbaru.
Justice Monica Mbaru was elected by judges of the Employment and Labour Relations Court as Principal Judge. She succeeds Justice Byram Ongaya, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal after a four-year tenure marked by significant improvements in jurisprudence and service delivery.
Justice Mbaru, currently the Presiding Judge in Mombasa, was elected unopposed to a five-year term, renewable once.
Justice Mbaru who joined the Judiciary in (year) holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Pretoria. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Laws (LLD) at the University of Nairobi. Prior to joining the bench, she was a legal practitioner with a strong focus on social justice, human rights, and the protection of minority and marginalised groups, including women and persons with disabilities.
