Koome reports historic 104 per cent case clearance rate, hails milestone for justice access

The judiciary cleared more cases than were filed in the last financial year, marking a major shift in efficiency as new courts, sub registries and digital services expanded across Kenya.

Chief Justice Martha Koome announced the progress while launching the State of Judiciary Annual Report for 2024/2025 on Friday, saying the institution is strengthening service delivery even as demand for justice continues to grow.

Koome said the annual document reflects how the judiciary has applied its authority and the results achieved over the past year. She said it demonstrates reforms aimed at improving access and fairness.

“Everybody wants to experience fairness and justice,” she said, adding that the report shows the steps taken to protect the public and uphold professionalism across offices.

A key achievement highlighted was the expansion of judicial services.

Koome said new Court of Appeal and High Court stations were opened, sub registries increased, and more magistrates' courts became operational.

She said this growth ensured the High Court now has a presence in all 47 counties. The number of small claims courts also rose, strengthening the handling of low-value disputes.

Going further, the Chief Justice said tribunals also gained ground, with more of them placed under the judiciary and shared service centres set up in Nairobi and Kisumu.

Mobile courts operated in 59 locations, registering thousands of new cases and resolving many others in remote areas. Mediation services expanded through 14 new registries, while alternative justice systems were rolled out in more counties.

The Chief Justice said efficiency improved at all levels. She reported a “historic case clearance rate of 104 per cent,” noting that 621,000 cases were filed and 647,000 resolved.

She also said pending cases fell by 3 per cent and backlog dropped by 30 per cent, especially in the High Court.

On the shift in case patterns, she said criminal filings at magistrates' courts fell by 80 per cent, while civil matters rose sharply, driven by the small claims courts.

She linked part of the progress to the “makamapota initiative,” which redistributed cases from busy courts to less congested ones, resulting in thousands of matters being concluded.

CJ Koome said digital tools also improved case handling, with more stations using the case tracking system and AI-supported transcription.

She noted that 177 court stations and offices now operate on enhanced digital infrastructure.

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In addition, the judiciary mobile app, CJ Koome said, has helped litigants follow their cases in real time.

She added that digitisation must keep advancing to avoid losing momentum.

“Our servers now are growing old,” the CJ said, warning that financial shortages threaten further progress.

Koome said the judiciary’s workforce stands at 6,979 employees, which is still below the required levels.

She said more staff, judges and tribunal members are needed for continued progress.

Despite the challenges, Koome said the judiciary remains focused on reform and guided by the social transformation blueprint launched at the event.

In her closing remarks, the Chief Justice said the report shows a system getting stronger and more responsive.

Koome said the progress was possible because of the dedication of the judiciary’s staff and the support from partners across government and society.