NAIROBI, Kenya – Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, has called on the Judiciary to expedite the resolution of tax-related cases, saying the move could release billions of shillings currently tied up in litigation.
Speaking at the launch of the Judiciary’s 2023/2024 Performance Management and Measurement Evaluation (PMMU) Report on Friday, Ruku argued that fast-tracking such disputes would ease fiscal pressure and help fund critical government services—including those within the justice system.
“These are urgently needed funds,” Ruku said during the event held at the Supreme Court grounds. “Unlocking them would not only support public services but also strengthen the Judiciary itself.”
He emphasised the strategic importance of performance management in public institutions and praised the Judiciary for embracing innovation, particularly through the rollout of the new e-Judiciary mobile app.
Described as a “virtual courthouse,” the app allows users to file cases in the Small Claims Court, join virtual hearings, track case status, verify court orders, and make payments—all without setting foot in a courtroom. It is now available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
“Digital platforms bring justice closer to the people,” Ruku said, adding that the app aligns with his broader ‘Huduma Smart Serikalini’ vision to deliver timely, efficient, and tech-driven public services.
These two Reports and the Mobile Application are a clear reflection of the Judiciary’s commitment to continuous improvement in excellence in service delivery, and promotion of transparency, accountability, and innovation in our work. They reaffirm our resolve to live out our
The CS also called for greater collaboration with development partners to support service delivery amid ongoing budgetary constraints.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, who presided over the launch, hailed the Judiciary’s progress over the past year, including a 9% drop in case backlog and a 99% case clearance rate.
The Judiciary’s institutional performance stood at 95.29% across 337 courts and units.
Koome also spotlighted key milestones under the Judiciary’s Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint: five new High Court stations, over 6,200 cases resolved via virtual courts, 28 new Small Claims Courts, and more than 2,200 disputes settled through mediation and alternative justice systems.
Despite the gains, the Chief Justice warned that staffing gaps, infrastructure challenges, and underfunding continued to hinder full implementation of the Judiciary’s mandate. She renewed calls for increased budgetary allocations.
The event also marked the end of a nine-year term for the Administration of Justice and Performance Management Committee (AJPMC), with Koome commending the outgoing team and pledging continuity in judicial reform efforts.
