The Judiciary will replace contractors whose work across the country have stalled, Chief Justice (CJ) David Maraga has warned.

Among the contracts to be cancelled is that of building an ultra-modern Sh390 million court in Ol Kalou town, Nyandarua County, whose completion was scheduled for March this year.

Maraga confirmed the construction work of the World Bank funded project had stalled, when he inspected the work last Friday.

“We have realised the contractor did not have the capacity to complete the work and we have decided to look for someone else to do the work,” he said.

Saaid Maraga: “This is going to apply to all other contractors who have failed to complete court buildings in the country, within the agreed period of time.”

He called on Kenyans to embrace alternative disputes resolution mechanisms, saying this will reduce the backlog of cases in the judicial system.

The Chief Justice said matters like succession, should only be forwarded to the courts for registration of what has been agreed outside the court by families with the help of chiefs, church leaders and village elders.

“Parties should only come to court to record consensus as chiefs and village administrators can handle subdivision of the estates,” he said adding that succession only requires identifying the heirs and distribute the estate, which can be done at village level.

The CJ underscored the use of e-filing of cases and challenged lawyers to accept the new normal and get reliable internet to curb delays.

“I call on lawyers to get stable internet connections as many don’t want to spend on the internet and end up blaming the Judiciary for delayed cases.

“Covid has dictated we go on with technology and we are going to have an office at the courts, to help very needy people file their cases with ease,” he added.

Nyandaru Deputy Governor Cecilia Mbuthia, who was present called on the Judiciary to consider allocating more funds to the construction of a children holding facility, to separate child  offenders from adults.

He said that even with the completion of the Ol Kalou court buidlding, the Nyahururu court will not be de-gazetted since it serves people of Mochongoi, Subukia and Ng’arua in Baringo, Nakuru and Laikipia counties respectively.