Lady Justice Mumbua Matheka, Judge of the High Court during a courtesy call to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday. Photo by Gvrns Press. 
By Andrew Mbuva
In a bold step aimed at strengthening access to justice at the grassroots, Makueni County is set to establish Alternative Justice System (AJS) structures in each of its sub-counties.
This initiative, launched in partnership with the Judiciary, is designed to deliver timely, culturally grounded, and community-led dispute resolution mechanisms that complement the formal court process.
Lady Justice Mumbua Matheka, Judge of the High Court, made the announcement during a courtesy call to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday.
She emphasized that the AJS framework would be fully decentralized, with each sub-county having its own team comprised of local national government administrators, county grassroots officers, religious and opinion leaders, elders, and representatives from the Court Users Committee (CUC).
“These teams will be trained in both legal and traditional dispute resolution skills to ensure justice is not only accessible but also reflective of the community’s values,” said Justice Matheka. “We must address the root causes of disputes in ways people understand and trust.”
Justice Matheka cited findings from a national survey showing that only 17% of disputes in Kenya are resolved through formal courts, while 67% are handled informally within communities and 16% are abandoned altogether.
“This data tells us that if we are serious about justice for all, then we must support and structure the systems people already use,” she added.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hailed the move as transformative and pledged his administration’s full support.
“Bringing justice closer to the people means empowering communities to solve their issues peacefully and lawfully. This initiative will reduce case backlogs, foster cohesion, and most importantly, restore dignity in conflict resolution,” he stated.
The announcement was made in the presence of key members of the judiciary, including High Court Judge Justice Elijah Obaga, Chief Magistrate P.N. Gesora, Resident Magistrate F.C. Ngetich, Senior Resident Magistrate M. Mutua, and Makueni CECM for Finance, Damaris Kavoi.
The AJS initiative is expected to play a crucial role in easing pressure on Kenya’s overburdened judicial system while reinforcing the role of traditional systems in dispensing justice fairly and efficiently.
