CS Ruku: Fast-track tax disputes as judiciary launches new app

 

Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku has called on the Judiciary to prioritise the resolution of tax-related disputes.

 He asserted that speeding up these cases could unlock billions of shillings currently held in litigation. These funds, he noted, are urgently required to ease Kenya’s fiscal constraints and support critical government services, including those within the judicial system.

The CS made these remarks at the official launch of the Judiciary’s 2023/2024 Performance Management and Measurement Evaluation (PMMU) Report, the Judiciary Service Delivery Innovations Report, and the E-Judiciary Mobile Application at the Supreme Court Grounds.

 He attended the event at the invitation of the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, Lady Justice Martha Koome.

“Performance management is not just a bureaucratic matter but a strategic tool that enables public institutions such as the Judiciary to deliver on their mandates efficiently, effectively, and impartially,” said CS Ruku. “These are values and principles of public service that many Kenyans share,” he added.

Commending the Judiciary’s continued strides in innovation, Ruku described the launch of the mobile app as a crucial step in making justice more accessible and citizen-centric.

 He underscored the transformative potential of digital platforms in enhancing public service delivery.

“Digital platforms are powerful solutions that bring the administration and dispensation of public services closer to the people. If effectively implemented, the e-Judiciary Mobile Application will enhance accessibility, transparency, and personalisation of the delivery of public services in the judicial system,” he said.

The mobile application, now available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, allows users to file cases in the Small Claims Court, join virtual hearings, verify court orders, check case statuses, and make payments without visiting court premises, essentially offering a “virtual courthouse” experience.

 The app is designed to serve all Kenyans, especially vulnerable populations including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those in remote areas.

Ruku further highlighted that the app aligns with his 'Huduma Smart Serikalini' vision of leveraging technology to provide quality, timely, and responsive public services.

He encouraged public officers across all sectors to embrace innovation and transform systems and processes to better serve citizens.

CS Ruku reiterated the importance of collaborative solutions, calling on development partners to continue supporting institutions like the Judiciary to ensure sustainable service delivery despite fiscal limitations.

Chief Justice Martha  Koome, who presided over the event, lauded the Judiciary’s digital transformation journey. She noted that the 2023/2024 PMMU Report showed significant progress, a 9% reduction in case backlog (from 268,116 to 244,267 cases), a 99% case clearance rate, and an overall institutional performance score of 95.29% across 337 courts and units.

Nonetheless, Justice Koome acknowledged persistent challenges such as staffing shortages, infrastructure deficits, and limited funding.

She made a renewed appeal for increased budgetary allocations to ensure full implementation of Judiciary programmes under the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) vision.

She noted that under STAJ, the Judiciary recorded notable achievements in the past year, including the establishment of five new High Court stations, the resolution of over 6,200 cases via the Mahakama Popote virtual court system, and the opening of 28 new Small Claims Courts.

 Additionally, more than 2,200 cases were resolved through Court-Annexed Mediation and Alternative Justice Systems.

The event also marked the conclusion of the Administration of Justice and Performance Management Committee’s (AJPMC) nine-year tenure.

The Chief Justice praised the committee’s contributions to fostering a performance-driven culture within the Judiciary and announced that a new team would soon be appointed to continue this work.