Koome urges new Appeal Court boss to clear case backlog

Chief Justice Martha Koome and the newly installed President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Gatembu Kairu, on July 16, 2026/ HANDOUT

Chief Justice Martha Koome has urged the newly installed President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Gatembu Kairu, to make the speedy resolution of appeals and the reduction of case backlog his top priorities, saying thousands of Kenyans are still waiting for justice.

Speaking during Justice Kairu's installation in Nairobi on Thursday, Koome said the Court of Appeal occupies a central place in Kenya's justice system as the country's principal appellate court and the final judicial forum in the vast majority of disputes.

She said every unresolved appeal represents individuals, families and businesses waiting for certainty and closure, making faster case resolution an urgent institutional priority.

"Timely justice is both a constitutional obligation and a prerequisite for public confidence, economic growth and the rule of law," Koome said.

The Chief Justice said the court has undergone significant expansion over the past five years, growing from four permanent stations to eight across the country to bring appellate services closer to Kenyans.

She also noted that the court now has its largest complement of judges in history, increasing from 13 judges in 2021 to 41 following the appointment of 15 additional judges earlier this year.

According to Koome, the expanded judicial capacity now presents an opportunity for the court to significantly reduce delays and improve service delivery.

She challenged the court, guided by the Judiciary's Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint, to work towards hearing and determining appeals within one year of filing wherever possible.

The Chief Justice further called on the court to consistently achieve a case clearance rate of over 100 per cent, meaning it resolves more cases than it receives, while maintaining consistency and quality in its decisions.

She cited the performance of the Court of Appeal stations in Mombasa, Kisumu and Malindi, saying they have demonstrated that reducing backlog while keeping up with new filings is achievable.

Koome also urged judges and judicial staff to embrace technology by expanding paperless operations, electronic filing and virtual hearings, while increasing the use of mediation and alternative justice systems to improve access to justice.

She described Justice Kairu's assumption of office as an important constitutional milestone and said his election by fellow Court of Appeal judges reflected their confidence in his leadership, integrity and professional competence.

Koome also paid tribute to outgoing Court of Appeal President Justice Daniel Musinga, crediting him with expanding the court's geographical reach, strengthening appellate jurisprudence and improving institutional performance during his five-year tenure.

In his inaugural address, Justice Kairu pledged to lead the court with transparency, inclusivity and fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of law.

He acknowledged that the Court of Appeal is the final judicial forum in more than 90 per cent of cases, saying its decisions shape constitutional, commercial, electoral, criminal and civil jurisprudence across the country.

Justice Kairu identified reducing case backlog and ensuring timely determination of appeals as his immediate priorities, noting that thousands of pending appeals, particularly in Nairobi, continue to delay justice for litigants.

He said the court will pursue targeted case management strategies, strengthen collaboration within the Judiciary, leverage technology, enhance judicial research and promote consistency in its decisions.

The new Court of Appeal president also pledged to uphold institutional independence and work with judges, judicial officers and stakeholders to build what he described as a more efficient, accountable and people-centred appellate court.

He credited his predecessor, Justice Musinga, with expanding the court's footprint, advancing digitisation, increasing judicial capacity and improving access to justice, saying he intends to build on those gains as he begins his tenure.