BREAKING NEWS: CJ Koome Resolves to Amend Kenya’s Constitution.
BREAKING NEWS: CJ Koome Resolves to Amend Kenya’s Constitution: The heads of courts of Kenya led by Chief Justice Martha Koome on Wednesday, February 21, resolved to amend the 2010 Promulgated Constitution to streamline court processes.
According to the heads representing the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Employment and Labour Relations Court, and the Environment and Land Court, amendments would address challenges that face judiciary when rendering Justice.
Koome announced the changes after participating in the Heads of Courts’ consultative meeting in Naivasha, from February 18 to 21.
A communique from the Judiciary read,” Recognizing the need to review and update the Constitution of Kenya (Protection of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms) Practice and Procedure Rules 2013 to take into account contemporary developments and introduce timelines for various processes, the Hon. Chief Justice will take action to initiate the process of review to these Rules.”
The amendment was among the six resolutions agreed under efforts outlined to streamline court processes.
Koome argued that the superior courts will give priority to sensitive cases to ensure they are concluded faster. The courts will not discriminate against the applicants in its resolution.
Kenya’s Court of Appeal will also see fast-track of hearings and determination of appeals relating to time-sensitive matters.
The heads of courts also agreed that Koome would enhance the capacity of the Constitutional and Human Rights Division and the Judicial Review Division of the High Court once new Judges are recruited.
Empowering the court falls in line with the Judiciary and Executive agreeing on the need to recruit 11 new Court of Appeal judges.
She will also rotate judges across the Judiciary to ensure judicial decisions are not personalized.
The heads outlined,” The CJ will ensure all judges are accorded an opportunity to serve in stations and divisions that handle high numbers of public interest matters.”
They will also enforce the ‘no adjournment’ policy to guarantee efficiency and curb delays synonymous with courts.
The Court of Appeal will audit appeals where the courts granted stay orders to ensure the cases are fast-tracked. Meanwhile, the High Court will undertake a Rapid Results Initiative to prepare Records of Appeal to ensure criminal appeals at the Court of Appeal are accelerated.
Notably, the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary (CRJ) will streamline the process of transfer of staff to cover any shortages.
The heads of courts also agreed to fight against corruption, enhance accountability seamless service delivery and uphold the Independence of the Judiciary while harnessing intergovernmental collaboration.
CJ Koome stated, “The Judiciary will collaborate and work with the other arms of Government in the spirit of interdependence and reciprocity. However, the other arms of Government must respect the independence of the Judiciary.
“There shall be more interaction between the Judiciary and other arms of Government to communicate the needs of the Judiciary without interfering with the independence of the Judiciary in the spirit of cooperative dialogue,” She added.
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