Busia, Kenya – Busia Presiding Judge William Musyoka commended the government’s efforts to improve access to justice for local residents. Speaking at the Judiciary Open Day at Busia Polytechnic grounds, Justice Musyoka noted the significant developments in the county’s court system.
According to Kenya News Agency, For many years, Busia operated with only one court in the town. However, 2023 marked the opening of two additional courts in Port Victoria and Malaba. There are plans to further expand the court system to ensure at least one court in every sub-county. “In the future, we hope to move to Butula and Funyula,” Justice Musyoka said, calling for support from the governor to ensure smooth operations in the Malaba and Bunyala law courts.
A Court of Appeal registry has been established in Busia, with future plans for the court to sit in Busia, saving residents from traveling long distances to Kakamega and Kisumu for such services. Additionally, a small claims court has been set up to cater to financially disadvantaged individuals, ensuring broader access to justice.
Busia Chief Magistrate Edna Nyaloti highlighted the judiciary’s training efforts for council elders on the alternative justice system. Elders are encouraged to resolve petty cases at home, with the court adopting their reports. This initiative aims to reduce the backlog of cases and provide quicker resolutions.
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma praised the judiciary’s involvement of council elders in dispute resolution. However, he noted that the backlog of cases remains a challenge and emphasized the importance of digitization in the justice system. The county government, he said, will collaborate with the judiciary in infrastructure development to further enhance access to justice.