Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has urged the Judiciary to expedite the resolution of tax-related disputes, highlighting the potential to unlock billions of shillings currently tied up in litigation. These funds, he emphasized, are crucial for alleviating Kenya’s fiscal pressures and supporting essential government services, including those within the justice system.
Ruku made these remarks during the official unveiling of the Judiciary’s 2023/2024 Performance Management and Measurement Evaluation (PMMU) Report, the Judiciary Service Delivery Innovations Report, and the new E-Judiciary Mobile Application at the Supreme Court Grounds in Nairobi.
“Performance management is not just a bureaucratic matter but a strategic tool to deliver services effectively, efficiently, and impartially,” said Ruku, commending the Judiciary for its continued innovation in service delivery.
He lauded the launch of the mobile app, calling it a transformative step toward citizen-centric justice. The app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, enables users to file cases in the Small Claims Court, join virtual hearings, verify court orders, track case statuses, and make payments—offering a virtual courthouse experience. It aims to serve all Kenyans, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and residents of remote areas.
Ruku noted that the innovation aligns with his ‘Huduma Smart Serikalini’ vision to digitize and improve public service delivery. He encouraged all public officers to embrace technology to enhance responsiveness and efficiency.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, who presided over the event, celebrated the Judiciary’s progress in digital transformation. She cited key achievements, including a 9% reduction in case backlog, a 99% case clearance rate, and a 95.29% institutional performance score across 337 units. Koome also highlighted the establishment of new courts and successes in virtual hearings and mediation.
Despite these gains, she acknowledged ongoing challenges like staffing shortages and funding limitations, and called for increased budgetary support to fully implement Judiciary programmes under the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint.
