NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s courts are set for a major overhaul as the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) unveiled its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, aiming to reduce case delays and improve access to justice for all citizens.
The announcement followed the 35th council meeting held in Mombasa on Tuesday, which convened top justice sector leaders to evaluate progress and chart the next five years of reforms. The session was chaired by Renson Ingonga on behalf of Chief Justice Martha Koome.
“We are not gathered merely to take stock of routine performance. We are called upon to reflect honestly on our progress, interrogate areas where we have underperformed, draw lessons from implementation challenges, and, more importantly, to chart a clear and forward-looking trajectory for our Strategic Plan 2026–2030,” Ingonga told delegates.
People-Centred Justice
Central to the new plan is a “people-centred justice” model, designed to ensure reforms directly improve citizens’ experiences rather than remaining theoretical. Leaders highlighted that court delays erode public trust and weaken system legitimacy.
“The public ultimately judges us not by the policies we draft, but by the speed, fairness, and accessibility of justice delivered,” Ingonga added.
While past progress includes e-filing systems, digitised records, and expanded Court Users Committees, challenges remain. Infrastructure gaps, slow case resolutions—particularly in criminal matters—and procedural adjournments continue to frustrate litigants.
Technology at the Core
The council agreed that technology must drive future reforms.
“We should leverage Artificial Intelligence responsibly and invest in interoperable digital systems across policing, prosecution, adjudication, corrections, and probation services. Digital transformation is not optional; it is foundational to the justice system of the future,” Ingonga said.
Proposals include strengthening prosecutorial and investigative readiness, integrating digital platforms across agencies, and improving case management systems to reduce unnecessary adjournments.
Restorative Justice and Non-Custodial Sentences
The plan prioritises restorative justice, focusing on repairing harm, rehabilitating offenders, and addressing underlying causes of crime such as poverty, trauma, and substance abuse.
Non-custodial sentences—including probation, community service, and diversion programmes—will ease overcrowded prisons and promote rehabilitation.
By combining technology, people-focused reforms, and rehabilitative approaches, the NCAJ aims to build a justice system that is timely, fair, and accessible, ensuring that every Kenyan can seek legal remedies without undue delay.
The Strategic Plan 2026–2030 represents a coordinated, multi-agency effort to modernise Kenya’s judiciary.
Analysts note that successful implementation will depend on sustained investment in digital infrastructure, capacity building, and inter-agency collaboration across the justice sector.
The NCAJ emphasised that the reforms are not just procedural but aim to reshape public perception, making the judiciary more responsive, efficient, and accountable to every Kenyan.
