Judiciary fund will buttress independence of the courts-Malombe

The governor said as an independent arm of government alongside the Executive and the Legislature, it was time the Judiciary fund was sensationalized to make it  finance projects as per priority. “Money should be put in the Judiciary fund. It is abhorrent for the Judiciary to kneel before the Executive and beg in order to be allocated funds,” said Malombe.

He spoke at the precincts of the Kitui Law Courts where he presided over the roll-out of Court annexed mediation. He was hosted by Judiciary staff led the Kitui Presiding  judge Justice Robert Limo. Other judges present were Lady Justices Lilian Kimani and Judy Omange.  

Malombe noted that in the current circumstances, funding to the Judiciary would be released or denied depending on whether or not some of the judgments "pleased some people". He emphasized that the Judiciary should be given funds without having to be made to go and look like they are kneeling before other arms of the government. “It should not be the case in this country of ours.The Constitution of Kenya 2010 is very clear on separation of power. We have the Executive, the Legislature and we have the Judiciary,” said the governor.

The Kitui governor said that annexed mediation was a welcome alternative dispute resolution which was significant milestone in buttressing the constitutional mandate of dispute resolution.

Malombe further said the court annexed mediation was key in ensuring that the results of judicial processes are individually and socially just. “It elevates the role of disputing parties in finding solutions, entrenching the culture of amicable resolution of disputes and strengthening trust and confidence in the judicial system,” noted Malombe.

The county chief  noted that the national and county governments are called to cooperate adding that inter-dependence has been at play in Kitui County.

Governor Malombe pointed out his government's support to the Judiciary  which included the allocation of a two acre parcel of land at Manyenyoni to the court  and the commitment to have at least one court at each of the eight subcounty by providing sufficient land.

Malombe also higlighted the move to  alleviate water supply challenges through the installation of tanks at the Kitui and Mwingi Law courts. He said there were efforts to augment the existing court infrastructure by constructing a county court. He said construction had already started at the county headquarters.

Limo said the court annexed mediation will promote win-win situation for all disputants in a row. “Court Annexed Mediation will also be instrumental in mitigating the cases backlog menace in our courts as parties will be able to resolve their matter within sixty days,” added Justice Limo. The judge cautioned  the members of the mediation team who were paraded before the public against being involving in graft. He said he would closely monitors theKitui governor Julius Malombe declared on Wednesday that it was repugnant for the Judiciary to appear to kneel down before another arm of government to beg for funding.

The governor said as an independent arm of government alongside the Executive and the Legislature, it was time the Judiciary fund was sensationalized to make it  finance projects as per priority.

“Money should be put in the Judiciary fund. It is abhorrent for the Judiciary to kneel before the Executive and beg in order to be allocated funds,” said Malombe.

The Kitui county chief spoke at the precincts of the Kitui Law Courts where he presided over the roll-out of Court annexed mediation. He was hosted by Judiciary staff led the Kitui Presiding  judge Justice Robert Limo. Other judges present were Lady Justices Lilian Kimani and Judy Omange.  

Malombe noted that in the current circumstance, funding to the Judiciary would be released or denied depending on whether or not some of the judgments pleased some people. He emphasized that the Judiciary should be given funds without having to be made to go and look like they are kneeling before other arms of the government. “It should not be the case in this country of ours.The constitution of Kenya 2010 is very clear on separation of power; we have the executive, the legislature and we have the judiciary,” said the governor.

The governor said that annexed mediation was a welcome alternative dispute resolution which was significant milestone in buttressing the constitutional mandate of dispute resolution. Malombe further said the court annexed mediation was key in ensuring that the results of judicial processes are individually and socially just. “It elevates the role of disputing parties in finding solutions, entrenching the culture of amicable resolution of disputes and strengthening trust and confidence in the judicial system,” noted Malombe.

The county chief  noted that the national and county governments are called to cooperate adding that inter-dependence has been in play in Kitui County. He pointed out his government's support to Judiciary  which included the allocation of a two acre parcel of land at Manyenyoni to the court  and the commitment to have at least one court at each of the eight subcounty by providing sufficient land.

Malombe also higlighted the move to  alleviate water supply challenges through the installation of tanks at the Kitui and Mwingi Law courts. He said there were efforts to augment the existing court infrastructure by constructing a county court. He said contraction had already started at the county headquarters.

Limo said the court annexed mediation will promote win-win situation for all disputants in an row. “Court Annexed Mediation will also be instrumental in mitigating the cases backlog menace in our courts as parties will be able to resolve their matter within sixty days,” added Justice Limo. 

The judge cautioned  the members of the mediation team who were paraded before the public against being involving in graft. He said he would closely monitor the performance of each one of them.

STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT