Chief Justice Martha Koome Announces Mediation Suites to Address Case Backlogs in Kenyan Courts

Nairobi, Kenya — Chief Justice Martha Koome announced plans to establish Mediation Suites and registries within Kenyan court buildings. These multi-use facilities are aimed at easing the backlog of cases through the integration of mediation, conciliation, the Alternative (Traditional) Justice System (AJS), and arbitration into the formal legal framework. The initiative is in line with Article 159(2)(C) of the Kenyan Constitution, which encourages alternative methods of dispute resolution.

Information provided by the Kenya News Agency indicates that Koome made this announcement during the launch of the Intercontinental Mediation Summit. The summit, themed ‘Mediation First: Exploring New Horizons Today and Beyond,’ aimed to foster a culture of alternative dispute resolution in the country. “We are not diminishing the importance of courts or litigation; instead, we are expanding our horizons,” Koome said.

Through the Court Annexed Mediation program, a total of 15,211 matters, valued at approximately Sh 55 billion, have been referred for mediation. Of these, 5,048 have successfully been concluded, releasing approximately Sh 33 billion back into the economy. The Chief Justice also reported a significant increase in the number of accredited mediators—from 74 in 2016 to 1,292 at present, 661 of whom are actively practicing.

The Chief Justice explained that these steps are part of the judiciary’s broader strategic vision, known as ‘Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ).’ This vision aims to establish a people-centered justice system, providing access to justice for all individuals.

Koome emphasized that despite efforts to clear case backlogs, the issue will persist unless alternative avenues of dispute resolution are embraced. She also announced that, in addition to Court Annexed Mediation, the judiciary is further promoting Private Settlement Agreements, which have the potential to prevent further buildup of cases by resolving disputes before they reach the court system.