Kisumu becomes second county to roll out tribunals shared services

The Judiciary has unveiled a new Tribunals Shared Services model in Kisumu aimed at speeding up justice delivery and easing the burden on courts, in a move expected to reduce long-standing case delays and improve efficiency across the region.

Speaking during the launch on Monday, Chief Justice Martha Koome said the new system brings together over 26 tribunals under one roof, streamlining support services such as IT, finance, infrastructure, communication, human resources and supply chain management.

"This model streamlines operations, eliminates duplication, and enhances coordination across tribunals by pooling resources and leveraging economies of scale," she said.

Koome noted that Kisumu is the second county after Nairobi to implement the shared services framework.

She added that digitisation has already taken root in the system, with tools such as e-filing, virtual hearings, and a centralised information hub now active.

She called on Parliament to fast-track the Tribunals Bill, which will provide a legal structure to sustain the new system.

"We are hopeful Parliament will move swiftly to formalise the operational structure of this initiative," said Koome.

Supreme Court judge William Ouko, who attended the launch, backed the model and used the occasion to call for faster reforms in the judicial system.

He decried the long delays in concluding court cases, which he said had left many Kenyans frustrated.

"What’s the rationale of filing a case today and delivering justice two decades later? It makes neither legal nor moral sense in the pursuit of justice," said Ouko.

He also warned that outdated court systems and lack of accountability were eroding confidence in the Judiciary.

"We must change the way we operate. We can no longer dispense justice in an analogue manner," he said.

Ouko urged judicial officers to embrace the reforms and confront corruption, saying many litigants feel cheated when leaving the courtroom.

"It signals that something is amiss. These are the pressing legal challenges we must confront. People expect fairness and impartiality in the handling of their matters," he said.

He welcomed the establishment of the Supreme Court Registry and the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Kisumu, calling them crucial steps toward making justice more accessible to the public.