President of the Supreme Court of Kenya Justice Martha Koome making her remarks during the Installation and Assumption of office ceremony of the Justice Oscar Angote as Presiding Judge of the Environment and Land Court held on 13th July 2022 at Milimani Law Courts grounds, Nairobi. Photo by Edwin Mang’eni
“With population growth, there is no doubt that we are bound to face challenges of land scarcity, and with that comes conflict over the access, ownership, and use of this valuable asset,” stated the CJ.
Koome asked the Presiding Judge and the judges of the ELC to always note that part of the causes of instability in Kenya relates to land questions.
“You have a responsibility of mediating conflicts about property and property rights, to ensure peaceful co-existence of families, communities, and the nation at large,” she emphasized.
The CJ called upon the Presiding Judge and all ELC judges, to ensure they meet the target of the courts and to conclude cases within three years of filling to avoid constant complaints of delayed justice and backlog.
She at the same time commended the outgoing Presiding Judge, Justice Samson Okong’o, for setting the bar high for other principal judges and for the exceptional commitment toward the lives of the many litigants he touched during his tenure.
In her remarks, the Deputy Chief Justice and Vice President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Justice Philomena Mwilu, reiterated that access to justice on land issues must be proficient since Kenya relies on agrarian production and agricultural sector, in both subsistence and commercial.
“It is essential that the value of land is not locked up in long winding disputes,” she stressed.
Mwilu added that the value of land for production and as a facilitator for commerce and trade as security should be protected and enhanced by effective dispute resolution processes in the courts and tribunals.
The Deputy CJ commended Justice Okong’o for his outstanding service and congratulated Justice Angote for getting the position, noting that she did not doubt that he will build on the progress of ELC and enhance its productivity and effectiveness.
Justice Angote said the Court will continue working with its partners to digitize the court’s system which will go a long way in streamlining its operations.
Angote added that he will continue to build on the programs Justice Okong’o put in place to strengthen the judiciary professionalism, as well as follow the principles set by CJ Koome which include accessibility, efficiency, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and shared leadership, cooperative dialogue, and social justice.
“I follow in the line of remarkable leaders in the Judiciary who have been given the mantle to lead their divisions. As a court we should look beyond our role of resolving land and environment disputes and have a strategic priority for good governance,” said Angote.
Justice Okong’o who assured Justice Angote of his full support also thanked Judges of the ELC and the entire judiciary for their support when he introduced the new working methods and case management strategies.
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