Chief Justice Martha Koome has launched a major justice reform milestone in Garissa County, unveiling the Al-Islaah Alternative Justice Centre, the Garissa County AJS Model, and the County AJS Action Plan, initiatives designed to bring justice closer to communities through traditional, faith-based, and local mechanisms.
Addressing elders, community leaders, and justice stakeholders during the launch event, CJ Koome hailed the initiative as a transformative approach to resolving disputes peacefully and inclusively.
“The term Al-Islaah, meaning ‘reconciliation’ in Arabic, captures the spirit of this centre,” said the Chief Justice.
“It will be a place where the wisdom of elders, the moral authority of religious leaders, and the knowledge of trained mediators converge to offer citizens solutions that heal relationships rather than deepen divisions.”
CJ Koome emphasized that justice should not be confined to formal courtrooms, especially in counties like Garissa, where long-standing traditions, religious norms, and local realities offer effective avenues for dispute resolution.
“Garissa, with its rich Somali traditions, strong religious heritage, and unique cross-border realities, has always known that justice cannot be confined to the four walls of a courtroom. Justice must live in the community, in the baraza, in the mosque, and in the council of elders,” she noted.
The Garissa AJS Model, launched alongside the Justice Centre, brings together three complementary streams: autonomous systems such as elder and religious councils, court-annexed AJS panels, and state-linked actors including Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs.
CJ Koome described this as a “multi-door approach to justice”, designed to empower citizens with options that are accessible, affordable, and aligned with human rights.
“Together, these streams form a multi-door approach to justice, an approach that allows citizens to choose from multiple avenues of redress depending on their needs, while ensuring that human rights, dignity, and constitutional values are upheld,” she said.
Highlighting the practical benefits of the AJS model, CJ Koome pointed out its role in de-escalating community tensions and preventing cycles of violence, particularly in areas prone to land disputes and cross-border conflict.
“By empowering elders, religious leaders, and community actors to resolve disputes early and fairly, we reduce the risk of violence, strengthen social cohesion, and give our young people a future free from cycles of revenge and retaliation,” she said.
The Chief Justice also stressed the need for inclusion in AJS processes, urging practitioners to uphold gender equity and the rights of vulnerable populations.
“Let us ensure that justice under AJS respects constitutional values and protects the vulnerable, particularly women and children,” CJ Koome urged.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama welcomed the Chief Justice’s visit and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting and expanding AJS mechanisms across the county.
“Today we are honored to host the Chief Justice in Garissa. Our partnership in championing the AJS model demonstrates our shared vision of making justice simple, affordable, and closer to the people,” said Governor Jama.
“This initiative will strengthen peace, cohesion, and accountability in our communities.”
He also announced plans to devolve AJS Suites to the sub-county level, ensuring that traditional conflict resolution is available even in remote areas.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya underscored the symbolic importance of launching the Al-Islaah Centre in Garissa, noting the region’s strong foundation in elder councils, Islamic justice traditions, and grassroots reconciliation.
“The launch of the AJS Suite here is therefore not just a programme milestone, but also a recognition of this region’s strong culture of community-driven justice,” Mokaya said.
She called for increased investment in justice across both formal and informal systems.
“Building modern courts, supporting mobile courts, and strengthening AJS mechanisms are not separate agendas—they are complementary pathways that expand the doorways of justice,” she added.
“Whether a Kenyan seeks resolution before a Judge in a High Court, a Kadhi in a family matter, or elders through AJS, justice must be accessible, trusted, and within reach.”
With the launch of its AJS County Action Plan, Garissa becomes the 12th county in Kenya to formally implement an Alternative Justice System framework, a major step toward realizing Article 159(2)(c) of the Constitution, which mandates the promotion of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms.
CJ Koome concluded her visit by reaffirming the Judiciary’s dedication to people-centered justice, rooted not only in law but also in cultural wisdom and communal harmony.
