Bomet Launches Community Justice Initiative to Improve Access to Legal Services
Residents of Bomet County are expected to benefit from a new community-based justice initiative designed to make dispute resolution quicker, less costly, and more accessible. The program promotes the use of mediation and traditional conflict resolution methods to settle eligible disputes before they reach the formal court system.
The initiative was launched by Chief Justice Martha Koome at the Bomet Law Courts as part of the Judiciary’s Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) programme. The model recognizes community-led approaches to resolving conflicts while ensuring that all processes remain consistent with the Constitution and the rule of law.
According to the Judiciary, the Alternative Justice Systems framework is intended to work alongside Kenya’s courts rather than replace them. It will mainly focus on resolving civil disputes, including family disagreements, succession issues, land-related conflicts, and other matters that can be settled through dialogue and consensus.
Speaking during the launch, Chief Justice Koome said the Judiciary remains committed to making justice more accessible for all Kenyans. She observed that many citizens still encounter obstacles when seeking legal services because of high costs, long travel distances to courts, and delays caused by case backlogs. She said empowering communities to resolve suitable disputes at the local level will help reduce these challenges while encouraging peaceful coexistence.
The Bomet County Alternative Justice Systems Action Plan has brought together the Judiciary, the county government, religious leaders, elders, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to support the implementation of the programme. Their role will be to ensure community dispute resolution is carried out fairly, transparently, and in accordance with constitutional principles and respect for human rights.
Officials emphasized that the initiative will not handle serious criminal offences or cases involving gender-based violence and violations of constitutional rights. Such matters will continue to be addressed through the country’s formal judicial system.
Governor Hillary Barchok welcomed the programme, describing it as an important milestone in expanding access to justice and strengthening harmony within communities. He said traditional methods of resolving disputes have existed for generations and can continue to serve residents effectively when applied within the legal framework established by the Constitution.
The Judiciary believes the expansion of Alternative Justice Systems across the country will ease pressure on the courts by reducing the number of cases filed for litigation. At the same time, the programme is expected to encourage dialogue, reconciliation, and restorative justice while preserving relationships among community members.
Public awareness campaigns will also be conducted to educate residents on the types of disputes that qualify for community mediation and those that must be referred to the courts. The launch of the Bomet initiative reflects Kenya’s ongoing efforts to build a justice system that is inclusive, efficient, and responsive to the needs of citizens at the grassroots level.
