Kapenguria: To improve the efficiency of the justice system and ease the growing backlog of cases, the Kapenguria Law Court has officially launched a Court Mediation Program aimed at providing an alternative method of dispute resolution.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative is expected to foster access to justice while relieving pressure on the criminal justice system by offering a quicker, less adversarial process for resolving cases. Speaking during the launch, Principal Magistrate Stella Telewa underscored the significance of mediation in making justice more accessible. Telewa highlighted that the court has already referred several cases to mediation and appreciated the benefits of the approach.
“By referring matters to mediation, the public can access justice in the quickest way possible. This method not only speeds up the resolution process but also ensures that vulnerable individuals can access justice more easily, without the challenges posed by lengthy and complex court trials,” said Telewa.
Telewa further revealed that the court has already trained 44 mediators, who are well-equipped to handle cases and can also train others in the community to broaden the impact of the program. “We have created designated spaces within the court where mediators can work, and every court is now allocating matters to the mediators. This will ensure that the process is integrated into our day-to-day operations and that more cases can be resolved promptly,” said Telewa.
Telewa expressed confidence that the mediation program will not only alleviate congestion in the courts but also empower the community with dispute resolution options. “This initiative will help reduce delays and ensure justice is served more quickly, benefiting both the public and the judicial system,” she said.
She revealed that, even before the official launch, the court, which has been operational since 2022, had successfully resolved 136 matters through mediation, underscoring the program’s effectiveness. “Today’s event marks the official launch of the program, but we’ve already seen the tangible benefits of this approach. By referring matters to mediation, we are providing the public with quicker access to justice while also ensuring that vulnerable people can resolve their disputes without the stress of lengthy and expensive court proceedings,” she said.
She also emphasized the economic benefits of the program, explaining that millions of shillings tied up in legal disputes, particularly those involving land and money, are now being released back into the economy. “When these matters are resolved, the capital that was previously locked in disputes becomes available to stimulate economic growth,” she said.
On his part, Court of Appeal judge Linus Kassan, who was present at the launch, explained that the program was developed by the judiciary as an alternative way to resolve cases quickly due to the increasing number of cases in the court system. “With the growing caseload, it became evident that traditional litigation alone could not meet the demand. Court-annexed mediation was created to offer a faster, more efficient way to resolve disputes and ease the pressure on the judicial system,” said Kassan.
Kassan emphasized the importance of mediation in creating a more accessible and efficient justice system. “By providing an alternative way to resolve cases, we are not only ensuring quicker resolutions but also making justice more accessible to all, especially for vulnerable individuals who may find traditional court processes daunting,” he added.
Additionally, Deputy Registrar Kipchumba Kenei emphasized the core philosophy of the mediation program, pointing to its slogan, “A solution for you, by you.” “This slogan truly captures the essence of mediation. It empowers the parties involved to find their solutions in a collaborative and non-adversarial setting,” said Kenei.