By Beauttah Omanga

Judges have come out fighting, saying they are not a stumbling block to judicial reforms.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues during a meeting of stakeholders in the legal system at a Nairobi hotel yesterday, Justice Philip Tonui denied judges were against judicial reforms.

"There is a wrong notion that judges and the entire Judiciary is blocking reforms. That is wrong and I am today telling all Kenyans that we as judges fully want acceptable changes for the benefit of all," said Justice Tonui.

He, however, said dispensation of justice has been hampered by lack of sufficient funds and understaffing in the Judiciary. He said judges were too few to be expected to deliver.

"We have been accused unfairly and condemned unheard. Some say we are a lazy lot who always enjoy holiday vocations. That is wrong because we at times forgo our holidays to hear cases outside Nairobi but that is not taken into account," he said.

He said judges and magistrates need modern equipments to help record proceedings verbatim for speedy determination of cases.

He said a committee of judges has requested Parliament to create an opening for the hiring of Commissioner of Assize to help expedite hearings.

Leaders have in the past called for radical reforms in the Judiciary, saying the judicial system was slow.

But Justice Tonui cautioned that though the Judiciary was ready for reforms, but there was need for political goodwill for better results.

"While the Judiciary is ready for reforms, lack of political goodwill will for ever make it a mirage," he said.

Other judges, Justice Philip Waki and Justice William Ouko, accompanied him.

Other participants were Attorney General Amos Wako, LSK Chairman Okong’o Omogeni, ICJ Kenya Chairman Wilfred Nderitu, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Florence Jaoko and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo.