Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced significant improvements in the performance of Kenya’s courts, releasing the 2024/2025 State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Report (SOJAR).
The report, published on Thursday, outlines progress in clearing long-pending cases, expanding access to justice, and accelerating the Judiciary’s digital transition.
According to Koome, the institution recorded a case clearance rate of 104 percent, resolving 647,686 matters compared to the 621,425 filed during the year.
She attributed the development to institutional reforms aimed at reducing delays, a persistent concern in Kenya’s justice system since the early 2000s when courts struggled with heavy backlogs and limited infrastructure.
The report notes that case backlogs—defined as files older than one year—fell by 30 percent.
This progress comes as courts continue implementing recommendations from past judicial reforms, including the 2010 Constitution, which introduced new courts and restructured judicial appointments to enhance accountability and independence.
To broaden access, the Judiciary operationalised new High Court stations in Isiolo and Makadara and opened a Court of Appeal sub-registry in Garissa.
Koome said these additions, together with six new Magistrates Courts and three Small Claims Courts, support efforts to bring justice services closer to underserved regions.
Mobile courts, now operating in 59 locations, continue to address gaps in remote and marginalised communities, especially in regions where travel to formal courts remains difficult.
The Judiciary has also expanded the use of alternative dispute resolution tools such as Court-Annexed Mediation, which now runs in 82 registries across the country.
Ten counties have adopted Alternative Justice Systems, a model that recognises traditional mechanisms for resolving disputes while complying with constitutional safeguards.
These reforms align with Kenya’s long-term policy of integrating community-level justice processes into the formal system.
Digital transformation remains a central part of the Judiciary’s agenda. Koome reported progress in rolling out the Case Tracking System, alongside AI-assisted transcription and digital infrastructure covering 177 court stations.
The newly introduced Judiciary Mobile App is expected to improve access to case information and court services, particularly for users in regions with growing internet penetration.
Alongside SOJAR, the Judiciary unveiled the STAJ Blueprint Simple Guide, a document designed to explain the institution’s transformation strategy to the public.
Koome said the guide and the new report reflect the collective effort of judges, magistrates, staff, and partners working to strengthen transparency and service delivery within Kenya’s courts.