7,000 unresolved cases in North Rift courts, DPP says

A total of 7,000 criminal and civil cases are yet to be resolved more than one decade since they were filed before various courts in the North Rift region, Director of Public Prosecution Renson Ingonga has said.

Speaking in Uasin Gishu county yesterday, Ingonga regretted that backlog of cases related to murder, robbery with violence and defilement are yet to be heard and determined in various courts in the region.

“Our courts are faced with a backlog of cases dating back over two decades that have made the dispensation of justice difficult and that is why we are championing the Alternative Justice System in all our forums.

He made the remarks when he paid a courtesy call on Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii in his office while accompanied by Eldoret Presiding Judge, Reuben Nyakundi and Justice Robert Wananda among other judicial officials.

“Our courts have been hit with a serious backlog of cases which are still awaiting hearing and determination for more than one decade since they were filled in the courts,” said Ingonga.

Ingonga implored Kenyans to resolve their disputes outside the jurisdiction of the courts especially those related to successions as one way of addressing the backlog of cases in courts across the country.

“It is regrettable to note that the majority of the parties involved in family feuds were preferring the court process that might take them decades to resolve instead of a mediation route that can take less than six months to resolve the matter,” added Ingonga.

The Director of Public Prosecution urged members of the public to help the Judiciary and other stakeholders to clear backlogs of cases by embracing the alternative justice system to expedite the delivery of justice in the Kenyans courts.

In his remarks, Nyakundi observed that succession and land related cases had dragged on for decades in various courts in the region. He said there was an urgent need to educate the public on the need to take such matters for mediation.