Use feedback to enhance trust in courts, CJ urges magistrates

NEWS RELEASE, NANYUKI, March 20, 2023. Use feedback to enhance trust in courts, CJ urges magistrates nnChief Justice Martha Koome has called on the leadership of court stations to take feedback from court users seriously and address their concerns in order to build trust and confidence in courts.nnSpeaking during the opening of the 10th Annual Heads of Stations forum in Nanyuki, the Chief Justice said the court leadership at the station level is the driver of change and the Judiciary is keen on tackling barriers that turn away people from courts.nn“I wish to emphasise that excellence in ‘court governance and administration’ is tied to high standards of court users’ experience. We have embraced the idea of people-centered justice as the fulcrum of Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ). This implies that we are focused on strengthening our system of delivery of justice by putting people and their experiences at the centre of everything that we do,” the CJ said.nnJustice Koome said that it is important to remember that litigants who come to courts often go through a difficult time. She said they could be facing serious legal challenges, and it is the duty of the courts to ensure that they are treated with respect and dignity.nnThe Chief Justice added that it is important for the forum to come up with a resolution that promotes a culture of excellence in customer care and that is focused on meeting court users’ needs. “If we have to build confidence with the people of Kenya it all begins and ends in your courts,” said the CJ.nnShe called on the Heads of Station to ensure that all service charter timelines such as case conclusion, ruling and judgment timelines, and timelines stipulated in the service charter with regard to registries are adhered to.nnLaikipia Governor Joshua Irungu who also spoke at the forum promised that his office will facilitate any approvals required by the Judiciary with regard to infrastructure development and collaborate with courts to enable access to justice.nnThe forum that is being attended by over 150 magistrates and kadhis who head court stations and stand-alone kadhis courts is themed “Building a Legacy of Excellence in Court Governance and Administration.”nn nn