Kisii County Assembly Speaker Kerosi Ondieki has challenged residents to consider solving their issues with the county government through alternative traditional dispute resolution mechanisms anchored in the Kenyan constitution, instead of rushing to the courts to seek legal redress.
Ondieki reminded members of the public that there were several amicable dispute resolution mechanisms provided by the law in the country's constitution, instead of rushing to the courts before exploiting alternative mechanisms.
Addressing the press at the Kisii County Boardroom, the County Speaker challenged members of the public who were dissatisfied with sections of the Kisii County Finance Bill after it has been passed and signed into law, to address their concerns with the county government through traditional dispute resolution structures that are recognized by the law instead of moving to the courts.
Ondieki said courts should be the last resort after all other dispute resolution mechanisms have failed, to address issues in contention.
Referring to the Kisii County Government's withdrawal of the case challenging the implementation of the County Finance Act 2014/2015 for out of court settlement between the opposing parties, Ondieki challenged area residents to embrace arbitration and dialogue on thorny issues in the Finance Act, instead of engaging the County Government in court battles which he regretted delayed and derailed the County's development agenda.