- She said she is hopeful that the institution will design a comprehensive and structured learning programme that nurtures knowledge and skill.
- She encouraged the judiciary staff to embrace the technology-enhanced learning platform to improve their learning experience.
The Judiciary yesterday launched an academy for judges that will act as an educational and training hub to enhance their work performance.
The launch of the Kenya Judiciary Academy is a transition from the Judiciary Training Institute (JTI) at its new premises in Karen.
Chief Justice Martha Koome said the academy should pursue a three-dimensional approach to judicial education.
The approach combines the elements of significant knowledge, skills development and social context.
She said the aim is to expand knowledge, build skills, improve court administration and judicial decision-making and give effect to the values and principles of the constitution.
She said the emphasis on social-context-based judicial education is informed by a growing consciousness that judges need to be mindful of the sensitivities involved in every case and appreciate implications their decisions might have on society.
“Transformative justice must be founded in the courts' understanding of the actual conditions people live in. This will also enhance public confidence in the Judiciary,” she said.
Koome made the remarks during the launch of the Kenya Judiciary Academy campus and the installation of Justice Smokin Wanjala as the incoming director.
She said she is hopeful that KJA and its partners will design a comprehensive and structured judicial learning programme that nurtures knowledge, skills, values and attitude relevant for modern judicial work.
“The approach to judicial education ought to be customised and implemented for the orientation programme for newly appointed and continuing judges, judicial officers and staff.”
And with changes in technology, the format for delivering judicial education, she said, should also be broadened.
“Judiciary must embrace e-learning as a methodology of delivering their training programmes. The use of technology is critical in enhancing access to and sharing of knowledge. It is in this spirit of harnessing technology for judicial education that we are also launching the KJA’s e-learning platform,” she said.
The platform is a user-friendly interactive knowledge portal to enable effective learning by judges, judicial officers and staff.
“This will not only house valuable institutional information and knowledge, but will also allow judges to share, learn and collaborate online through virtual platforms."
She encouraged Judiciary staff to embrace the technology-enhanced learning platform as a means of improving their learning experience.
“My hope is to see the KJA become a home where judges and judicial officers can take a break from their normal duties for learning, reflection and discussion.”
She further extended her gratitude to the government for granting their request and allocating 55 acres of land in Ngong area for the building of the academy.
“We appreciate the spirit of collaboration from the government and hope the partnership will continue to act as an anchor to stronger institutions in Kenya,” she said.