Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, Her Ladyship Martha Koome, today made history as the first sitting Chief Justice to officially visit Garissa County Headquarters, where she launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at expanding access to justice.
The Chief Justice presided over the unveiling of the Alternative Justice System (AJS) Al-Islaaah Center, the AJS Model, and the County AJS Action Plan, a bold step in embedding traditional and community-driven conflict resolution within Kenya’s broader judicial framework.
“This is a landmark moment not just for Garissa, but for Kenya as a whole,” CJ Koome declared.
“The AJS model ensures justice is accessible, community-driven, and reflective of our cultural contexts. I commend Governor Nathif Jama for his leadership and for placing Garissa at the forefront of this transformative system.”
Governor Nathif Jama welcomed the Chief Justice, emphasizing that the partnership between Garissa County and the Judiciary represents a shared vision of accessible justice.
“Today we are honored to host the Chief Justice in Garissa. Our partnership in championing the AJS model demonstrates our shared vision of making justice simple, affordable, and closer to the people,” he said.
“This initiative will strengthen peace, cohesion, and accountability in our communities.”
The AJS framework is expected to ease the heavy backlog of cases in conventional courts while promoting reconciliation, cohesion, and trust through traditional approaches.
By recognizing local practices of dialogue and consensus, it bridges the gap between formal courts and community-led dispute resolution.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Winfridah Mokaya, underscored Garissa’s unique role in championing the initiative.
“What makes today’s launch in Garissa significant is that this County is uniquely placed to demonstrate the power of AJS,” she noted.
“Garissa has a proud heritage of elders’ councils, strong Islamic traditions of justice, and vibrant community structures where dialogue, reconciliation, and consensus remain central to resolving disputes.”
She further highlighted the importance of resourcing justice systems holistically.
“As we look to the future, we must fund justice in its fullness, both formal and informal. Building modern courts, supporting mobile courts, and strengthening AJS mechanisms are not separate agendas; they are complementary pathways that expand the doorways of justice,” Mokaya added.
The Garissa launch marks a turning point in national justice reforms, offering a blueprint for other counties to follow.
By blending tradition with modern law, Kenya is taking significant steps toward ensuring justice is not only delivered but also rooted in fairness, inclusivity, and cultural relevance.