Courts in Isiolo, Marsabit among 42 set for digitisation in Sh250 million tech upgrade
The digitisation project will also allow courts to manage cases electronically, conduct video hearings and streamline communication among staff and stakeholders.
Over 40 law courts across 28 counties will be digitised under a Sh250 million initiative aimed at boosting judicial efficiency by enabling virtual hearings, electronic case management, and seamless internal communication through local area networks (LANs).
The Judiciary and the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) have launched a digitisation initiative at Msambweni Law Courts in Kwale County to modernise court operations, minimise physical attendance, and expand access to justice in underserved and remote areas.
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The digitisation project will also allow courts to manage cases electronically, conduct video hearings and streamline communication among staff and stakeholders.
Chief Justice Martha Koome said the initiative aligns with the Judiciary’s Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint, which seeks to create a modern and people-centred justice system.
“This launch is a critical milestone in our journey of Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ). We are committed to building a modern, people-centred justice system that leverages technology to deliver timely and efficient services,” Koome said.
Bridge service delivery gaps
Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo described the project as a central element of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which aims to bridge service delivery gaps and accelerate development through digital connectivity.
CA Director-General David Mugonyi said the project is financed through the Universal Service Fund (USF), which has connected nearly 800,000 Kenyans to mobile networks and converted 56 public libraries into digital hubs since 2018.
“Through this partnership, we are empowering the Judiciary with the digital tools necessary for better service delivery,” Mugonyi said.
Priorities
USF Advisory Council Chairperson James Ongwae added that the fund’s 2023–2027 strategy prioritises infrastructure expansion, digital skills training, and improving device affordability to support inclusive digital growth.
“The fund is not only investing in connectivity but also in the skills and tools that ensure no Kenyan is left behind,” Ongwae added.
Courts earmarked for this phase include those in Meru, Isiolo, Turkana, Bungoma, Kilifi, Marsabit, and Nyamira, among others.
With the new LAN systems in place, judicial services such as plea-taking and bail applications can now be handled via video conferencing, dramatically reducing travel time and related costs for litigants.
The project also complements the government’s broader digital superhighway initiative, which involves laying 2,500 kilometres of fibre optic cable across 19 counties to expand internet access and improve digital infrastructure nationwide.
Officials said digitising court operations will help improve transparency, reduce case backlogs, and make the justice system more accessible and responsive to the needs of citizens.
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