The Judiciary has launched Tribunal Shared Services in Nyeri aimed at enhancing access to justice and strengthening tribunal services across the country.

Speaking during the launch, Judicial Service Commissioner Hon. Jacqueline Ingutiah said the Tribunal Shared Services is designed to serve not only host towns but also the wider surrounding regions. She noted that the initiative reflects a practical, people-centred approach made possible through institutional collaboration in service to the public.

Commissioner Ingutiah revealed that in the last three quarters alone, more than 10,296 matters were filed across the 27 tribunals, while 10,699 cases were concluded, demonstrating growing public confidence and strong institutional performance. She added that approximately 10,959 matters remain pending, despite sustained improvements in filings and case clearances, particularly within the Business Premises Rent Tribunal, Rent Restriction Tribunal, Co-operative Tribunal, and Tax Appeals Tribunal.

“These are not mere statistics. Behind each of those numbers is a person who walked through the doors of a Tribunal with a problem they could not resolve on their own. They came because they believed that the system would be fair, timely, and that it would treat their matter with the seriousness it deserved. Kenyans are turning to Tribunals, and we must ensure Tribunals are ready to serve them,” said Commissioner Ingutiah.

JSC Vice Chairperson Hon. Isaac Rutto, who also spoke during the launch, urged tribunals to help unlock the economy by resolving disputes promptly and releasing funds tied up in litigation.

The Registrar of Tribunals, Hon. Ann Asugah, noted that when the first Tribunals Shared Services Registry was launched in Nairobi, it was envisioned as a way to improve visibility and make tribunal services more accessible to the public. When the initiative later expanded to Kisumu to serve the wider Lake Region, the public response confirmed that it was no longer merely an administrative concept, but a genuine public need.

“The increasing number of walk-ins, requests for assistance, registry support services, digital hub usage, and public inquiries became the driving force behind our commitment to continue bringing tribunal services closer to the people. We have learned that when tribunals become visible, it should be through the quality of service, responsiveness, and their experience when they walk through our doors,” said Hon. Asugah.

The Shared Services Centre will bring together 28 tribunals that were previously spread across different parts of Nyeri town into a single, accessible location. The registry will serve the wider Mount Kenya region, including Nyeri, Kerugoya, Nanyuki, Nyahururu, Murang’a, Maragua, Kirinyaga, and Nyandarua, providing a central access point for tribunal services.

The Nyeri Tribunal Shared Services Centre will operate as both a physical and digital access hub. It will support walk-in litigants, especially those who are not tech-savvy or lack internet access, by enabling them to use Judiciary e-services such as electronic filing, participation in virtual hearings, and case follow-ups.

The model has already been successfully implemented in Nairobi and Kisumu, where the registries have significantly improved access to information, reduced the need for litigants to travel to Nairobi or make repeated inquiries for simple services such as obtaining court orders, and eased the overall burden on clients.