PM commends reforms in the judiciary

PM commends reforms in the judiciary Written By:PMPS,    Posted: Thu, Jul 05, 2012

Raila expressed optimism that the reforms will restore the confidence of the public in the judiciary Prime Minister Raila Odinga has commended the Chief justice Dr. Willy Mutunga for initiating reforms that could help redeem the image of the Judiciary. He expressed optimism that the reforms will restore the confidence of the public in the judiciary which had failed the credibility test due to malpractices. "We welcome the transformation because the public had developed a phobia against the judiciary and opted to pursue justice elsewhere other than the courts" The premier said. He cited cases during the last general polls when aggrieved parties who had sufficient grounds to file their cases opted to express their frustrations in the streets because they had lost faith in the judicial system. Odinga who paid Justice Mutunga a call at his High court chambers for consultations on Thursday said the move to relieve judges from undertaking administrative roles will improve service delivery, and minimize situations where conflict of interest arose. He welcomed the restructuring exercise saying judges were tempted to preside over the procurement and tendering committee meetings for related gains, at the expense of their core duty to service justice. During the meeting, Dr. Mutunga briefed the premier about the transformation framework which was developed on four key pillars that centered on delivery of justice to the people when fully in operation. The reforms are tailored to restructure the organization arrangement and widen the scope of decision making organs unlike in the past when only the Chief Justice and Registrar called the shots. He said the reforms intend to streamline the management of financial and infrastructural resources as the judiciary works towards embracing Information, Communication and Technology ICT). "The inception of modern technology in the bar will improve access to justice as most cases will be concluded expeditiously," The CJ said. Dr Mutunga also hinted that the judiciary will consider introducing performance contracting schemes in the service although his predecessors resisted the proposal whenever the executive suggested the idea. ‘The independence of the judiciary is not mechanical to an extent that we cannot even borrow good ideals from the other arms of the government," he ruled. He however reiterated his commitment to uphold the independence of the Judiciary while constructively engaging other arms of government in national and public interest. Dr Mutungi commended parliament for allocating KSh15.9 billion to the Judiciary this financial year but asked for support to establish a judiciary fund to secure the independence of the institution in the new dispensation. He however raised concerns that other departments whose functions we co related to the judiciary also needed adequate funding to optimize the benefits of the reforms in the sector. On preparations ahead of the coming polls, Dr Mutunga said the Judiciary Working Committee on Election Preparedness had embarked on the training of judges and magistrates on how to mitigate election related offenses and disputes. He made it known that talks with key players in the management polls were underway to ensure that all pending cases were concluded by the end of August this year to pave way for the polls. The meeting comes after the judiciary last month unveiled the transformation blueprint whose impact the premier said was gradually redeeming the public trust on the local justice systems. Website Meanwhile, Prime Minister Raila Odinga has launched his campaign website as he gears up for the tough road ahead to state house. The website is aimed at boosting his popularity as well as allowing his supporters to air their views. Speaking during the launch held in Nairobi, Raila condemned those politicians still keen on forming tribal outfits as their vehicles to statehouse saying such leadership was outdated and cannot deliver progressive politics in Kenya. ‘' They are telling us that now that the reforms are here, anybody alive and in politics today is a reformer and can be trusted. I disagree'', he said. He however, declared that the much needed transformation will not come easily. But he advised Kenyans to use the forthcoming general election wisely by voting in reform minded leaders who have in the past demonstrated the capacity  to bring about the much needed change. ‘'This election is our best chance to make a clean break with the past'', he said. The PM observed that for the first time in history of this country, blocking one presidential candidate has been the one and only campaign agenda of those presidential candidates who represent the past. The PM, who promised to launch his presidential campaign officially at a later date, noted that he was keen to expand the opportunity for dialogue with Kenyans through the newly launched website. ‘'The launch of this website is designed to encourage and facilitate that expanded dialogue'', he said.