Litigants urged to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms – Kenya News Agency

Residents of Homa Bay county have been advised against rushing to courts for cases which can be handled through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.

Speaking during Judiciary Open Day, High Court Judge Kiarie Waweru said that the ADRs were instrumental in easing the backlog of court cases.

The Judge cited cases such as succession of property, land disputes, family disputes and other forms of disagreements as those which require alternative dispute resolution. “I want our people to understand that there are some cases which can be solved outside court. For example, disputes between brothers over property can be solved by mediators,” Kiarie said.

The Judge said they were strengthening the court annexed mediation to handle such cases and at the same time challenged residents to fight corruption in the corridors of justice by reporting any official(s) soliciting bribes to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers. “We don’t condone corruption and any resident told to give a bribe should report to the relevant authorities,” Justice Kiarie said.

The County Executive Committee Member for Education Martin Opere who represented Governor Gladys Wanga in the function, urged the Judiciary to establish courts across all the eight sub-counties.

Opere said Homa Bay County recorded high incidences of sexual and gender-based violence which called for prompt handling in courts. “We call on the Judiciary to establish courts in each of our sub-counties to ease access to justice. We are affected by many cases of gender-based violence which require efficient handling in courts,” Opere said.

By Daline Ochieng and Davis Langat