Judicial reforms get shot in the arm

By Standard Reporter

The World Bank has approved $120 million (Sh10 billion) loan to the Government to enable the judiciary to implement its transformation agenda.  

The money will be used to support major transformation of the judicial system to improve key functions to promote better administration of justice and delivery of quality legal services in local courts.  World Bank Country Director for Kenya, Johannes Zutt, says that the Bank will support the Government’s bid to strengthen the capacity of the judiciary to deliver justice in an effective and efficient manner through the project.

New Constitution

“The new Constitution has created a window of opportunity for the judiciary to address the problems that have for many years frustrated the delivery of justice, especially to the poor,” said Zutt.  The project comes as public confidence in the judiciary grows, following major institutional and managerial changes courtesy of the new Constitution, which Kenyans voted for in a referendum in August 2010.

Through the Judicial Performance Improvement Project, the Judiciary is expected to improve court administration and case management. It is also expected to facilitate automation of the court, clearing the big backlog of court cases and training of judicial officers.

“In approving the project, the World Bank’s Board of Directors indicated its belief that there is a real opportunity to undertake judicial reforms in Kenya,” said the task team leaders of the project.