A Nakuru magistrate has urged Kenyans to embrace alternative means of settling disputes out of court to save litigants and the State of unnecessary legal costs.
Chief magistrate Kemoi Ng’eno said embracing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms would radically transform courts and the delivery of justice in the country.
“Many people think that only one just result out of every dispute, which only courts can deliver. I think that is a wrong perception,” he said.
Mr Ng’eno said the constitution recognises alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and cautioned Kenyans against the perception that courts had a monopoly on justice delivery in the country.
He said such conflict resolution mechanisms will help the government save on huge costs and smoothen relationships among citizens.
“Judiciary resources are limited, the State spends to take care of the accused. This costs can be avoided,” he said, adding that lack of awareness on these alternative mechanisms has led to majority of people rushing to courts to solve disputes which can be handled before they reach that level.
“If a neighbour abuses another that should not amount to a dispute to be solved in courts. It should be handled elsewhere to save the courts time and money,” he noted.
He said directions issued recently by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga on the use of ADR to resolve disputes would fundamentally streamline the provision of justice in the country.