Kenya is seeking to strengthen community-based justice by training professional mediators in a move aimed at improving access to justice and reducing the growing number of cases reaching the courts.
A new cohort of certified professional mediators graduated in Mombasa after completing training in mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution.
The programme is designed to equip participants with the skills needed to help communities resolve disputes before they escalate into court cases.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Court of Appeal Judge Joel Ngugi said alternative dispute resolution could play a bigger role in addressing the country's justice challenges, noting that many Kenyans still do not rely on the formal court system to resolve disputes.
He said expanding mediation at the community level would bring justice services closer to the public while easing the burden on the judiciary.
Prof. Ngugi said justice should not be seen solely as something delivered in courtrooms but also through the peaceful resolution of conflicts within communities.
He urged the newly certified mediators to uphold high standards of professionalism, integrity and impartiality as they begin their work.
He also encouraged them to embrace a broader role in promoting access to justice, saying their responsibilities go beyond offering legal guidance to helping communities find practical and lasting solutions to disputes.
The week-long training programme was organised by Suluhu Mediation Centre in partnership with Vocal Africa.
Suluhu Mediation Centre Director Maina Migwi said the programme was designed to build the capacity of ordinary citizens to resolve conflicts through dialogue instead of lengthy court processes.
He said strengthening grassroots mediation would promote peaceful coexistence while improving access to justice, particularly for people who face challenges pursuing cases through the formal legal system.
Vocal Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid said community mediation has become increasingly important in the Coast region, where disputes and periodic violence have continued to undermine social cohesion.
He called for closer collaboration between trained mediators, electoral officials and security agencies to help prevent conflict, especially during election periods.
Coast Education Centre Director Halima Mohamed said the graduates are now equipped to provide mediation services across the region after completing intensive practical training.
One of the graduates, Salma Hemed, said the certification formally recognises work that many community mediators have been carrying out informally for years. She added that the training reinforced the importance of remaining impartial when handling disputes.
Coast Social Justice Centres Working Group Chairman Simon Kazungu said expanding community mediation could reduce the number of disputes reaching the courts, easing pressure on the justice system while providing faster solutions for communities.
Organisers said they expect the newly trained mediators to help expand access to justice, promote the peaceful resolution of disputes and encourage wider use of alternative dispute resolution across the country.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment, reply, and like comments.
Continue with Google