This archive report was first published on 29 October 2019.
Published on October 29, 2019, the Nyeri Court of Appeal has been unable to sit for the past two months due to a shortage of judges.
According to Deputy Registrar Harrison Adika, two of the judges who were stationed in Nyeri have been transferred elsewhere, leaving only two judges in the court.
Adika explained that the court had managed to reduce its backlog to almost 400 civil appeals and 300 criminal appeals, but the shortage of judges has now resulted in a backlog of over 800 cases.
The court has been directed to refer any urgent appeals to the President of the Supreme Court for hearing in Nairobi, while normal appeals will have to wait.
Law Society of Kenya Chairperson, Nyeri Chapter, Mr. Wahome Gikonyo, expressed concern over the shortage of judges, stating that it has an adverse effect on the administration of justice and is causing frustration among advocates and their clients.
Adika attributed the shortage of judges to budgetary cuts directed to the judiciary by the Treasury, which has resulted in the court being unable to hold hearings.
