By A Special Correspondent
WOTE, June 14, 2025
Mahakama Popote to Deepen Access to Justice
Chief Justice Martha Koome today launched the Mahakama Popote (Justice Everywhere) guidelines, a milestone initiative aimed at standardizing the delivery of mobile court services across Kenya.
The launch took place during the 11th Heads of Station Forum held in Wote, Makueni County—bringing together judicial officers from across the country to evaluate reforms and chart the way forward for enhanced service delivery.
The mobile court guidelines are designed to eliminate geographic and economic barriers to justice by bringing court services closer to the people, especially those in remote and marginalized regions.
“This initiative reaffirms our commitment to making justice accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of all Kenyans,” the Chief Justice said, highlighting parallel progress in digital case filing, improved infrastructure, and other reforms across the judiciary.
A Deeper Look at the Reform Agenda
The Mahakama Popote initiative is the latest building block in a broader judicial reform strategy that has been quietly reshaping Kenya’s justice system since 2021.
At the heart of this transformation is the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) vision—a blueprint that seeks to reimagine the judiciary not just as a system of courts, but as a service for all citizens, regardless of geography, income, or education level.
Under this framework, the Judiciary has invested in
digitization of Court Processes – Kenyans can now file cases online, track progress, and receive court notices through the e-filing and Case Tracking Management System (CTMS), drastically reducing the need to travel long distances for routine matters.
Again, Small Claims Courts – Rolled out across all counties to resolve disputes below KSh 1 million within 60 days, the courts have significantly reduced case backlogs and given ordinary citizens quicker access to remedies.
The other initiative is the Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) – Recognizing the legitimacy of community-based dispute resolution, especially in rural and pastoralist communities, the judiciary has developed policies to integrate traditional and religious justice systems into the formal legal framework—ensuring that justice is not just legal, but also culturally resonant.
Court Annexed Mediation – Piloted in the commercial divisions and now expanding to other sectors, is another initiative. The approach encourages parties to settle disputes amicably before full trial, saving time, and preserving relationships.
Infrastructure Investment – New court buildings have been constructed or rehabilitated in over 30 counties, reducing the distance to the nearest courthouse for millions of Kenyans. At least 200 new judicial officers have been recruited since 2022.
Koome noted that the mobile court system will complement these efforts by literally driving courtrooms into markets, community halls, and other public spaces, especially where no permanent courts exist.
Ground-Level Impact in Makueni
Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who graced the occasion, lauded the judiciary’s efforts, particularly in handling cases of sexual and gender-based violence, such as defilement and rape. She also recognized the county government’s complementary initiatives to improve legal access at the grassroots.
Mulili cited Makueni’s program to support succession matters, where 50 families per ward benefit annually from free legal assistance and processing of title deeds—an effort she said is lifting families out of generational poverty and legal limbo.
She welcomed the Mahakama Popote initiative, saying it would greatly enhance legal outreach in underserved wards across the county.
A Paradigm Shift
The launch marks a new phase in judicial reforms that seek to shift the paradigm from court-centric justice to people-centered justice—taking services to the villages, marketplaces, and homes where Kenyans live and work.
In her concluding remarks, Chief Justice Koome emphasized that the judiciary must remain visible, present, and proactive in protecting rights—especially for vulnerable groups like women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
“Justice is not a luxury for the few. It is a right for all,” she said.
Stay Anchored!
