NAIROBI, Kenya — Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called for deeper collaboration among justice sector institutions to enhance efficiency, accountability, and public confidence in Kenya’s justice system.
Speaking on Monday during the launch of the Administration of Justice in Kenya Annual Report 2024–2025 and the Justice Sector Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Framework at Safari Park Hotel, Murkomen stressed that justice institutions must operate as one system rather than in isolation.
“Our arms of government are like the legs of a stool — each critical in its own way but not useful without the other two,” he said.
“When one part stumbles, the whole system feels it. When we work together, justice moves faster and works better.”
Murkomen underscored the central role of the Ministry of Interior, which houses the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and Probation and Aftercare Services — all key members of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ).
He praised the NCAJ model for uniting State agencies, the Law Society of Kenya, and civil society organizations in pursuit of accountability and reform.
The CS said the newly launched MEL Framework will provide tools for tracking justice delivery, particularly the speed of investigations, trials, and rehabilitation. “Kenyans are impatient and rightly so,” he noted. “When someone reports a crime, they want action. When a case goes to court, they want it resolved.”
He cautioned that delays in case resolution erode public trust and allow crime cycles to persist, urging the Judiciary and other justice players to prioritize efficiency, professionalism, and service at all levels.
Murkomen also raised concerns over what he termed “excessively lenient bail terms,” especially for repeat and serious offenders, warning that such decisions undermine confidence in the courts and embolden lawbreakers.
He called for reforms in bail practices and emphasized the need to strengthen court users’ committees across the country to foster coordination at the grassroots.
The CS further pledged government support for the ongoing review of the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code to align them with current realities.
“These reforms are tools that will help all of us serve Kenyans better,” he said, urging justice institutions to remain open to feedback and mutual accountability.
Murkomen concluded by emphasizing that Kenya’s justice and security systems must evolve together. “Security without accountability diminishes justice. Justice without security cannot flourish,” he said.
