CJ Koome Champions for People-Centred Justice at AJS Conference

By FAITH BWARI NYABUTI

Addressing a distinguished audience that included Chief Justices from across Africa, senior judicial officers, governors, community elders, scholars, and development partners, Koome underscored the need to transform justice systems to better serve ordinary citizens. She emphasized that while formal courts remain critical, justice must be accessible, inclusive, culturally grounded, and responsive to the realities of people's lives.

The Chief Justice praised the University of Embu for hosting the conference and commended Professor Joel Ngugi and the National Steering Committee on AJS for their dedication in advancing the initiative despite years of limited funding. She noted that their commitment and passion had enabled the Judiciary to conceptualize, develop, and begin implementing policies aimed at bringing justice closer to communities.

Reflecting on the origins of Kenya's legal system, Koome challenged participants to question whether imported legal traditions adequately serve African societies. She argued that justice systems inherited from colonial administrations were never designed around the needs and aspirations of African communities and called for a renewed focus on indigenous approaches to dispute resolution.

According to Koome, Alternative Justice Systems represent a return to African values that prioritize dialogue, reconciliation, and social harmony. She described elders and community leaders as "champions of justice" who have for generations helped resolve disputes, rebuild broken relationships, and maintain peace within communities.

Drawing from her experiences visiting counties where AJS initiatives are being implemented, the Chief Justice shared stories of families who had successfully resolved long-standing conflicts through community mediation. She noted that many citizens find traditional justice mechanisms more accessible and effective than lengthy court processes, particularly in family and land disputes.

"For many citizens, justice is more than the conclusion of a case," she said. "It is about whether relationships have been restored, whether families have found healing after conflict, whether dignity has been preserved, and whether people feel heard and respected."

Koome challenged stakeholders to rethink how justice outcomes are measured. Rather than focusing solely on court statistics such as case clearance rates and backlog reduction, she called for consideration of broader social indicators, including restored relationships, strengthened communities, and enhanced human dignity.

The Chief Justice linked Kenya's AJS efforts to broader continental aspirations outlined in the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the African Union Transitional Justice Policy. She noted that these frameworks recognize the importance of justice systems that heal wounds, restore dignity, rebuild trust, and strengthen social cohesion.

"Alternative Justice Systems are not an alternative to formal justice," she said. "They are essential expressions of African jurisprudence rooted in our history, cultures, and communal wisdom."

Despite the progress made, Koome acknowledged the challenges facing AJS implementation, including limited public awareness, inadequate resources, and the need for stronger institutional support. She called on both national and county governments to invest more resources in the initiative, arguing that a system contributing significantly to peacebuilding and access to justice should not rely solely on goodwill and volunteerism.

The Chief Justice also recognized the contributions of various development partners, including the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, Strathmore University, and other research institutions that have supported the Judiciary's efforts to promote people-centred justice.

In a passionate conclusion, Koome reaffirmed that justice should be experienced as a lived reality by every Kenyan regardless of social status or geographic location. She stressed that constitutional rights belong to all citizens and that justice must reach every child, woman, elderly person, and marginalized community.

"Justice will be found in systems that place people at the centre," she said. "It will be found in systems that value dignity and respect, the same way they value efficiency, and seek not only to resolve disputes but also to heal and restore relationships."

The conference also marked the formal launch of the Embu County Alternative Justice Systems Action Plan, a significant milestone in the effort to institutionalize community-based dispute resolution mechanisms. As she officially declared the conference open, Koome expressed hope that future gatherings would attract even greater participation from across Africa, strengthening a continental movement committed to making justice more accessible, restorative, and relevant to the lives of ordinary people.

The conference reinforced a growing consensus among African judicial leaders that the continent's justice systems must evolve beyond legal procedures and court judgments to embrace approaches that restore harmony, promote dialogue, and strengthen communities.