Kenyan courts have changed for the better, becoming friendlier in the recent years, thanks to the ongoing judicial reforms.
This as President William Ruto has made notable strides in fulfilling his campaign promises, particularly judiciary reforms.
On his first day in office, President Ruto signed an Executive Order appointing four Court of Appeal judges and two Environment and Land Court judges, a move that underscored his commitment to strengthening the judiciary.
The appointed judges were swiftly sworn in the following day, marking a significant milestone in his administration’s efforts to transform the legal system.
Consequently, the initial inherent fear of local courts by the citizenry is gradually waning, while lawyers have also conceded that high sounding legal arguments no longer add value to the country’s justice system.
Unlike the tense feelings which prevailed in the previous court proceedings, the current judicial system offers a relaxed and friendly environment where nobody feels threatened.
The changing landscape of justice in Kenya reflects the social and political transformation of our country over the last 60 years.
The main goal of these transformative initiatives has been to improve the institutional performance of the Judiciary and to enhance access to justice for all Kenyans.
The 2023/24 budget reflected President Ruto’s commitment to the judiciary by including an additional Sh4 billion allocation.
This increase in funding is intended to support the judiciary’s operations, expand its capacity, and improve access to justice for all Kenyans.
Addressing the inaugural Heads of Courts’ consultative meeting, Koome previously stated the critical need for these reforms in light of recent challenges faced by the judiciary.
She underscored the Judiciary’s commitment to maintaining its independence while acknowledging the public scrutiny it has faced.
“It is important that we reflect on our rules of procedure, especially the Constitution of Kenya (Protection of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms) Practice and Procedure Rules, 2013 and the Judicial Review Procedure Rules,” she stated, highlighting the need to ensure expeditious resolution of time-sensitive cases.
In a further demonstration of his dedication to judicial independence, the Ruto administration operationalized the Judiciary Fund.
This initiative is designed to provide the judiciary with financial autonomy, ensuring that it can operate without undue influence from other branches of government. The operationalization of this fund is a critical step towards enhancing the judiciary’s ability to function independently and effectively.
