In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving access to justice, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, alongside Supreme Court Judge Smokin Wanjala and other judiciary officials, launched the Trans Nzoia County Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) Suites today July 29, 2024.
The new facilities, located in Kitale, Kiminini, and Cherangany, will empower community elders to mediate and resolve disputes, promoting healing and reintegration rather than punitive measures.
During the official opening ceremony at the Kitale Law Courts, Governor Natembeya emphasized the importance of alternative justice systems.
“While the court systems have their merit, they often fall short in addressing the root causes of crime and achieving true rehabilitation. This is why it became necessary to come up with alternative justice systems that focus on healing, restitution, and reintegration of offenders into the community,” he said.
Natembeya also announced plans to establish additional AJS suites in all constituencies within the county, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to fostering community-based justice solutions.
“We have operationalized alternative justice systems suites where the elders will meet in three constituencies: Saboti, Kiminini, and Cherangany, and we are committed to putting up suites in the two remaining constituencies,” he remarked.
Justice Smokin Wanjala underscored the critical need for AJS, highlighting the challenges of conventional judicial processes, which can be costly and time-consuming.
“The need for Alternative Justice Systems has never been more critical. AJS offers a cost-effective and speedy resolution to disputes, ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done promptly and fairly,” he stated.
Wanjala hailed the launch as a significant step forward for the people of Trans Nzoia.
“Today’s launch is a testament to the commitment of Trans Nzoia County to advance AJS. It serves as a symbol of hope, autonomy, and empowerment for the Trans Nzoia people.”
Justice Joel Ngugi, who also attended the launch, emphasized the importance of returning the justice narrative to the people.
“What we launch today is not just a document but the beginning of an exciting new journey: the journey of truly returning the justice narrative to the ordinary mwananchi of Trans Nzoia,” he noted.
Ngugi further explained that the 2010 Constitution has paved the way for alternative justice systems, removing long-standing barriers to access.
“Our Constitution has now given us an opportunity to go back to our traditional systems of resolving disputes, fostering harmony in our communities,” he added.
Judiciary officials, including Justice Fred Nyagaka and Justice Anthony Mrima, expressed their support for the AJS initiative, emphasizing its potential to reduce the burden on the formal judicial system and enhance community participation in conflict resolution.
“From time in memorial we had our systems of solving disputes and they served us well until the colonial period. Our Constitution has now given us an opportunity to go back to our traditional systems. Those who will be tasked to administer justice through AJS, may God help you to administer justice truthfully and ensure our community lives in harmony. As a court we have been trying to foster AJS even without the launch by referring matters to the elders,” Justice Fred Nyagaka, Environment and Land Court (ELC) Judge, Kitale said.
“When we started the AJS journey, I was looking forward to a day like today. I didn’t know how it would look like in Trans Nzoia county because of the cosmopolitan nature of the people here, but am now happy to say all have confirmed that they are part of AJS which is the game changer in the justice system. It is all we need,” Justice Anthony Mrima, High Court Presiding Judge, Kitale noted.
County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi also acknowledged the importance of AJS, stating that it will help alleviate the caseload of local chiefs and promote collaboration between government agencies and community leaders in implementing these systems.
“For a long time, the office of chiefs has been solving cases and Alternative Justice Systems is one ways of reducing the cases that are going to the chiefs and us as the administration we support and we will collaborate to implement AJS,” Gideon Oyagi, County Commissioner Trans Nzoia said.