Kenya Justice Sector Report Aims to Strengthen Accountability and Access to Justice

Nairobi Kenya

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Key Highlights:

Chief Justice Martha Koome earlier today |Photo by National Council  of Administrative Justice X(formerly twitter)

The Administration of Justice in Kenya Annual Report 2024/25 and the MEL Guiding Framework for Kenya’s Justice Sector 2025 were unveiled in Nairobi today, marking a milestone in Kenya’s pursuit of a coordinated and evidence-based justice system. Chief Justice Martha Koome described the twin documents as a reflection of the sector’s shared responsibility to deliver justice equitably.

“These two documents embody the justice sector’s commitment to accountability to the people of Kenya and our quest for continuous improvement in service delivery,” she said.

Koome added that institutionalizing monitoring, evaluation, and learning ensures that “progress is not left to perception and rhetoric, but anchored in measurable outcomes.”

The Chief Justice emphasized that the MEL framework signals a shift toward data-driven governance within the justice system—moving away from traditional reporting to real-time performance tracking and adaptive learning. The Annual Report, she noted, celebrates collective achievements in improving coordination and access to justice while highlighting persistent challenges such as resource gaps and institutional capacity.

Echoing the need for sustainable support, LSK President Faith Odhiambo called for practical solutions to address barriers that prevent vulnerable groups from accessing justice.

“We must fully operationalize the Legal Aid Fund, expand mobile court services, and strengthen public legal education so that citizens know their rights and how to claim them,” she said.

Odhiambo urged justice institutions to confront systemic inequities head-on, stressing that declarations of goodwill must now give way to coordinated, measurable action.

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On the issue of public confidence in law enforcement, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja reaffirmed the National Police Service’s dedication to accountability and reform.

“Trust between police and the public is fundamental to justice,” he said.

“As the first point of contact in the justice chain, the NPS reaffirms its sacred duty to uphold the rule of law, ensure accountability, and protect the vulnerable through community-centered policing.”

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen reiterated the Executive’s commitment to inter-agency coordination and legislative reform.

“Our arms of government are like the legs of a stool, each critical in its own way, but not useful without the other two,” he noted, emphasizing the need for synergy among the Judiciary, Legislature, and Executive. Murkomen pledged continued government support in finalizing the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code amendments—key reforms designed to modernize Kenya’s criminal justice architecture and align it with constitutional principles.

Representing the international community, Koen Morquering, UNODC Representative, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to Kenya’s justice reforms.

“Sustainable justice needs strong institutions, integration, and innovation,” he stated. “UNODC stands with NCAJ in strengthening coordination, expanding legal aid, modernizing ICT systems, and securing sustainable financing for Kenya’s justice sector.”

Regionally, Kenya continues to rank among East Africa’s most progressive justice systems, with institutional reforms and digitalization efforts setting benchmarks for peer states. However, gaps persist in the full rollout of legal aid, resource allocation, and public trust in enforcement institutions. Bridging these divides will require consistent budgetary support, transparent data sharing, and citizen participation in justice reforms. As the justice sector embraces the MEL framework, Kenya stands poised to not only measure progress but to embody a model of adaptive governance that reinforces the rule of law and access to justice across the region.

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Cover photo  Credits: Flinders University