Kenyan citizens will soon have the convenience of filing cases and accessing case information without the need to physically visit court premises, thanks to a forthcoming mobile application developed by the Judiciary.
During a virtual keynote address at the Small Claims Court Annual Symposium on Monday, Chief Justice Martha Koome revealed that the EJudiciary mobile app is currently in development and is expected to be completed by April.
The app will offer two primary modules: a public-facing e-filing interface and an internal case-tracking system. Both modules will be accessible through the Google Play Store.
“This mobile application will streamline court operations by enabling the public to access case information, including historical activities, outcomes, and future proceedings, without the need to visit court premises,” stated CJ Koome.
She further explained, “It will also facilitate the online filing of cases by law firms, advocates, and the general public, significantly reducing physical and financial barriers to accessing justice services, especially for vulnerable groups and small businesses predominantly run by women.”
CJ Koome emphasized that the development of the app is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Registrar Magistrates Court, the Directorate of ICT, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“In this digital age, we must continuously look for ways to bring the court closer to the people, ensuring that geographical distance or socioeconomic status does not stand in the way of accessing justice,” she added.
The introduction of the EJudiciary app follows the launch of a similar online platform by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in May last year. The platform, known as the Malalamishi System, allows members of the public to lodge complaints of a criminal nature with the ODPP and provides a mechanism for anonymous reporting through the Complaints Module.
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji highlighted that the platform enables whistle-blowers to raise complaints and offers transparency in tracking the status of a complaint through the allocation of a reference number.
