The Judiciary has elevated the Taskforce on Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM) into a Standing Committee, marking a major step toward institutionalizing mediation as a key pillar of Kenya’s justice system.
Chief Justice Martha Koome made the announcement after meeting with members of the Taskforce, commending them for their exemplary work in promoting mediation as a trusted and accessible path to justice across the country.
Since its establishment in 2017, the multi-stakeholder Taskforce has expanded Court-Annexed Mediation services to 46 counties and set up dedicated CAM registries in 95 court stations nationwide.
These efforts have enabled more than 33,000 cases to be referred to mediation, leading to the resolution of disputes worth approximately Sh89.5 billion — money that has been released back into the economy.
“This progress affirms that mediation is transforming Kenya’s justice system into one grounded in dialogue, reconciliation, and people-centred principles,” said Chief Justice Koome.
The new body, to be known as the Steering Committee on Mediation, will continue to guide and strengthen mediation within the Judiciary as part of Kenya’s multi-door approach to dispute resolution.
The Committee will oversee the scaling up of mediation services, policy development, and capacity building to ensure faster, fairer, and more affordable access to justice.
During the meeting, the Chief Justice also paid tribute to the late Justice Fred Ochieng, whose pioneering vision and commitment were instrumental in embedding mediation in the country’s judicial processes.
Koome further announced the appointment of Justice Aggrey Muchelule as chairman of the standing committee.
“To carry forward his legacy, I have appointed Hon. Justice Aggrey Muchelule, Judge of the Court of Appeal, to chair the Steering Committee on Mediation and advance this important agenda,” said Justice Koome.
The Judiciary has increasingly embraced mediation as an effective alternative to lengthy court battles, helping to ease case backlogs, reduce litigation costs, and promote amicable settlements.
The model encourages dialogue and reconciliation between parties, aligning with Kenya’s constitutional commitment to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
As the Steering Committee takes over from the Taskforce, the Judiciary aims to deepen the culture of mediation and ensure that justice remains timely, efficient, and people-centred.
This is a key pillar in Chief Justice Koome’s Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) vision.
