Judiciary takes major step forward with digital tools to reduce case backlogs

EVALYNEGITHINJI-PCO 

The Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy (MICDE) is committed to supporting the Judiciary’s ongoing digital initiatives, which are crucial for reducing case backlogs, streamlining processes, and ultimately delivering faster, more transparent justice.

Dr. Margaret NyamburaNdung’u, the Cabinet Secretary for MICDE, stated that the Ministry is spearheading the digitalization of government services and has already digitized over 19,000 services, significantly enhancing service delivery to the public.

“Among these services, the Judiciary has embraced e-services such as case filing, case status tracking, court order verification, advocate searches, e-filing support, and payment of fines and deposits,” she reiterated.

She emphasized that these services are part of a broader digital transformation aimed at simplifying the procedural requirements and complexities of the legal system, streamlining legal processes, and ensuring greater access to justice for all citizens.

The CS made these remarks as the chief guest during the official presentation and unveiling of the State of the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice Report (SOJAR) for the Financial Year 2023- 2024.

She praised the significance of the Report, noting that it provides a comprehensive review of the progress made in administering justice over the past year, as well as the challenges the Judiciary must still overcome.

“As we review the findings of the SOJAR Report, it is essential to recognize the vital role that inter-agency collaboration plays in achieving these milestones.

Effective administration of justice requires synergy among the Judiciary, law enforcement, legal professionals, and other branches of government,” the CS said.

CS Ndung’u emphasized the importance of data security and privacy in the digital transformation journey, “As our Judiciary adopts more digital tools, we must ensure that citizens’ data remains protected and confidential.

"Our Ministry is actively working on policies and frameworks to safeguard data across all sectors, including the Judiciary, to foster public trust in these digital systems,” she said.

The Cabinet Secretary, MICDE, Dr. Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u.

In addition, she highlighted how the Ministry has deployed robust ICT infrastructure which has transformed how government, businesses and citizens produce, receive and access information and data.

In her remarks, the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Justice Martha Koome noted that in the past year, the Judiciary has made significant strides and has achieved a Case Clearance Rate of 99 per cent, with 516,121 cases filed compared to 509, 664 cases resolved during the financial year.

Further observing that the Judiciary is closing geographic barriers that have historically restricted Kenyans’ access to justice, she revealed that the High Court’s presence now extends to 46 out of the 47 counties.

“Our achievements reflect a Judiciary that is increasingly efficient, accessible, and responsive. These strides bring us closer to realizing a justice system that is fair, timely, and within reach of every Kenyan,” the Chief Justice noted.

She said that the Judiciary is utilizing digital technology in its operations and has successfully implemented the e-filing system, the case tracking system (CTS) expansion and the digitization of court records.