The Mt Kenya Times 
Chief Justice Martha Koome meets Governor Ottichilo to enhance access to justice
By Elizabeth Angira
Chief Justice Martha Koome has called for urgent and coordinated action to tackle the rising cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Vihiga County, warning that the county continues to record some of the highest numbers of such cases in the country.
Speaking during a meeting with Vihiga Law Courts staff and members of the Court Users Committee (CUC), the Chief Justice urged all justice sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in responding to SGBV, increase public awareness, and implement coordinated interventions aimed at preventing the crime and ensuring justice for survivors.
She directed the Principal Judge to lead the establishment of an SGBV Working Group within the Court Users Committee to coordinate responses to emerging challenges and improve case management.
Justice Koome also called for the refurbishment of the child protection unit at the local police station, improvement of the county’s Gender Violence Rescue Centre, and establishment of a holding facility for children in conflict with the law.
She emphasized the need for sustained public education on SGBV, plea bargaining, and Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) to enhance access to justice and promote peaceful dispute resolution where applicable.
On succession disputes, the Chief Justice said the Judiciary’s digitized case management system has significantly improved the processing of cases, particularly benefiting widows who have traditionally faced lengthy delays in accessing justice.
She also warned against corruption within the justice sector, urging Court Users Committees to strengthen integrity committees to safeguard public confidence in the administration of justice.
The Judiciary delegation, which included Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya, Judicial Service Commission Vice Chairperson Isaac Ruto, Court of Appeal President Justice Daniel Musinga, High Court Principal Judge Eric Ogola, Court of Appeal Judge Prof. Joel Ngugi, Justice Aggrey Muchelule, and other senior Judiciary officials, also met court staff who raised various administrative challenges. Justice Koome assured them that the Judiciary would work towards addressing the concerns.
During the meeting, justice sector stakeholders outlined several challenges affecting service delivery.
Vihiga Prison officials requested the establishment of a functional virtual court, training of prison officers as paralegals, and a review of bail and bond terms to ease prison congestion.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reaffirmed its commitment to people-centred prosecutions, stronger inter-agency collaboration, and wider use of diversion programmes to promote timely justice.
The National Police Service called for expanded virtual hearings to reduce the cost of transporting witnesses to court, while mediators urged the fast-tracking of the Mediation Bill and expansion of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.
Civil society organisations appealed for greater attention to SGBV and succession disputes affecting widows. County security officials linked the increasing cases of defilement and incest to illicit brews and drug abuse, noting that enforcement operations are ongoing to curb the problem.
Justice Joel Ngugi announced plans to establish an Alternative Justice Systems Centre in Vihiga, while Justice Aggrey Muchelule revealed that 305 cases have already been referred to Court-Annexed Mediation, significantly reducing the time taken to resolve disputes.
CJ Meets Governor Ottichilo to Enhance Access to Justice
Earlier, Chief Justice Koome held talks with Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo on strengthening justice delivery in Vihiga County and the wider Western region.
Governor Ottichilo identified Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, land disputes, and succession cases as the region’s most pressing justice challenges.
He observed that many SGBV cases fail to reach conclusion due to witnesses withdrawing or failing to testify, stressing the need for the entire justice sector to work closely with communities to address the root causes of violence and develop long-term solutions.
“The county has established a Gender Violence Rescue Centre, but more coordinated interventions are needed to end the vice,” the Governor said.
Justice Koome announced that the Judiciary will establish both a Mediation Centre and an Alternative Justice Systems Centre in Vihiga to help resolve land and succession disputes more efficiently.
She clarified that while criminal offences such as SGBV cannot be handled through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, community engagement remains critical in preventing the violence before it occurs.
The Chief Justice also commended Governor Ottichilo for allocating land in Emuhaya for the construction of a new law court.
“The Judiciary aspires to establish a court in every constituency. With the planned Emuhaya Court, we are moving closer to that goal, and Vihiga County is leading by example,” she said.
Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya confirmed that the Judiciary has already secured funding to operationalise the Emuhaya Court during the current financial year, bringing judicial services closer to residents.
Presiding Judge Reuben Nyakundi praised the strong partnership between the Judiciary, the County Government and the community through the inclusive Court Users Committee.
He also pointed to drug and substance abuse as a major driver of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and called for joint efforts to address the problem.
Justice Koome is currently on a service inspection tour of courts across Western Kenya, where she is engaging judges, judicial officers, court staff and justice sector stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities for improving justice delivery.
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