launch of Marsabit Court Annexed Mediation Registry, the Family Mediation Guidelines, the Private Mediation Guidelines

In our ongoing quest to expand access to justice, launched the Marsabit Court Annexed Mediation Registry, the Family Mediation Guidelines, the Private Mediation Guidelines and FAQs, and the Marsabit County AJS County Action Plan, Model, and Suite.

Marsabit county is distinguished as the second largest county in Kenya by land mass. The vast expanse of this county underscores the critical need to ensure justice is accessible to every resident, no matter how remote. This calls for collaborative efforts with the county’s leaders and residents to expand and deepen access to justice across Marsabit. Currently, Marsabit County is served by two court stations: Marsabit Law Court and Moyale Law Court. While these courts provide essential services, they remain insufficient given the county’s vast size and population. This highlights the need for significant investment to ensure justice is within reach for every resident.

Under the Judiciary’s Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint, we are committed to establishing Magistrates’ courts in every sub-county. For now, Marsabit Law Court extends its services to Laisamis, North Horr, and Loyangalani through mobile courts, while Moyale Law Court operates mobile courts in Sololo and Bute.

I am grateful to the County Government of Marsabit for providing land in these five locations for the construction of permanent court facilities. However, our progress in constructing these facilities has been hindered by acute budgetary constraints facing the Judiciary. I therefore urge the county government and other local leaders to explore ways of offering further support and collaboration with the Judiciary to help us realize the goal of putting in place court infrastructure in these five locations. Permanent court facilities in these remote areas will significantly reduce the travel burden on litigants and law enforcement officers, thereby improving access to justice.