Thika – The Thika law courts have welcomed a new addition to their judiciary with the appointment of Judge Florence Muchemi, a move that is set to bring much-needed relief to litigants and other court users in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, who addressed journalists after assuming her new role, this development is pivotal as it implies that the 535 cases that were initially referred to the Kiambu High Court will now be heard within the Thika jurisdiction. “We have started working, and I can assure the members of the public that we now have a functional high court,” Muchemi stated, underscoring the immediate positive impact of her appointment.
Muchemi also took the opportunity to highlight the successful implementation of the e-filing system at the Thika courts, noting that 539 cases have already been filed electronically. She expressed her support for the move towards paperless judiciaries and commended the effectiveness of the e-portal in Thika. In addition to this, she pointed out the judiciary’s transition to virtual proceedings, which has made legal processes more convenient for the public. “When we’re conducting mentions, we do it virtually, which is convenient for the public who don’t have to travel to sit in court for their cases to be heard,” she explained.
While virtual proceedings have streamlined certain aspects of the legal process, Muchemi acknowledged that open court cases requiring witness testimonies are still conducted in person. She also highlighted a pressing need for additional space to manage the influx of documents and files, calling upon the judiciary to provide support in this area to ensure efficient service delivery to the public.
The Thika law courts serve a broad jurisdiction, catering to the legal needs of Gatundu, Thika, and Ruiru Sub-Counties, and with the appointment of Judge Muchemi, access to justice in these areas is poised to see significant improvement.