This archive report was first published on 1 July 2020.
July 1, 2020 - Nairobi, Kenya - The Kenyan judiciary is facing a severe crisis due to a lack of funding, with Chief Justice David Maraga warning that its programs, including the flagship online operations launched for courts in Nairobi, are at risk of collapse.
Speaking at the launch of the Judiciary E-filing system, Maraga urged Members of Parliament to ensure that the institution is given enough funds to avert case backlog in the near future and guarantee smooth operations.
Maraga emphasized that the judiciary requires reasonable funds to run its operations, stating, 'We cannot afford to be left behind and as a matter of fact, as an arm of the government, we should have gotten here more than 10 years before.'
The Chief Justice also highlighted the importance of technology in the judiciary's operations, saying, 'If we do not have enough resources, we will not be able to run this project and it will fail in the next one or two years to come.'
Maraga's warning comes as the judiciary launches its E-filing system, which will enable all parties, including judges and magistrates, to access case files and documents online.
The system will also be integrated with major stakeholders like the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Kenya Prison Service, and the Lands office.
