The County Government of Uasin Gishu is in discussion with the Judiciary, LSK North rift chapter and the National police service on the alternative justice system in Uasin Gishu County in a bid to address various legal and social issues at the grassroots level and offer an alternative avenue for conflict resolution alongside the formal legal system.
Speaking on Wednesday during an alternative justice meeting held at the County headquarters, the Presiding Judge Eldoret High Court Justice Richard Nyakundi, said that it was high time an alternative justice system (AJS) is launched in Eldoret as Nakuru and Nairobi have already done so.
He further added that AJS incorporates cultural norms and values, which ensures a sense of cultural relevance while resolving conflicts.
“In Kenya, there is a growing recognition and implementation of alternative justice systems (AJS) as a means of advancing access to justice. These alternative systems aim to provide different forms of dispute resolution mechanism, including traditional approaches, as long as they do not violate the law”, said Nyakundi.
On his part the Chief officer in charge of Public Service management Mr. Ambrose Tarus, said that implementing the Uasin Gishu County Alternative justice system action plan will offer aggrieved parties out-of-court options for dispute resolution and reaching amicable solutions, thus providing more flexible and citizen-focused access to justice.
He also stressed the need for public sensitisation on the AJS action plan by the trusted members of society like political and religious leaders
The County Solicitor Boaz Bulbul, said that the Launch of an AJS model in Uasin Gishu county will go along way in enhancing access to justice for the citizens noting that it is the best way of devolving access to Justice in the County.
In attendance were officers from the LSK North Rift chapter, Judiciary, National Police Service, Chief of staff Mr . Nicholas Chepkwony and the County legal team.