In a significant move to address prison overcrowding, Chief Justice Martha Koome has called for stronger collaboration between the court systems and Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) committees to prioritize the decongestion of prisons across Kenya.
This initiative includes reviewing bail and bond terms to facilitate the release of eligible inmates while ensuring justice is served.
During her visit to Isiolo G.K Prison on Friday, Chief Justice Koome announced the pardoning of 37 convicts, whose cases were reviewed by judicial officials. This brings the total number of inmates released under this initiative to 540 nationwide.
Among the 37 released from Isiolo, three will serve their sentences through probation, engaging in community service as an alternative to incarceration.
Justice Koome emphasized the importance of upholding the law, urging the released individuals to avoid reoffending. She warned that any breach of the law would result in severe consequences.
The Chief Justice also highlighted the judiciary’s commitment to reviewing cases of remandees, with AJS teams now empowered to determine which individuals can be released to attend court sessions from their homes.
Accompanying Justice Koome, Commissioner of Prisons Patrick Mwiti Arandu noted that collaborative efforts to decongest prisons have already led to the release of 503 inmates this year.
He stressed the need to simplify access to justice through AJS initiatives, which not only promote humane treatment of offenders but also enable correctional facilities to focus on rehabilitation.
Civil society organizations have praised the integration of AJS into the judicial process, recognizing its potential to foster peace and deliver justice in a culturally sensitive and practical manner.
Ms. Abdia Mohamud, Regional Coordinator of the ‘Pastoralists Peace Link,’ highlighted the role of AJS in localizing dispute resolution and preventing conflicts among diverse communities in the region.
She noted that marginalized groups now have affordable access to formal justice that respects their cultural contexts.
Sheikh Ahmed Set, National Treasurer of the Council of Elders, expressed pride in the AJS framework, which aligns with the spirit of the constitution while localizing justice delivery.
He emphasized that AJS not only addresses immediate legal needs but also strengthens community cohesion by incorporating traditional dispute resolution mechanisms.
The initiative marks a pivotal step in Kenya’s justice reform agenda, balancing the need for accountability with the promotion of rehabilitation and community-based solutions.
By leveraging AJS, the judiciary aims to reduce prison overcrowding, enhance access to justice, and foster a more inclusive and equitable legal system.
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