The Judiciary has launched a court-annexed mediation mechanism in Homa Bay County to provide Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) avenues for litigants.

Homa Bay Chief Magistrate Jacinta Orwa said the mediation process would decongest the court and reduce backlog of cases.

Speaking Wednesday during the launch of the ADR, Orwa said some disputes like inheritance, land cases and other civil cases could be handled out of court with arbitration by a third party.

She said this would give the courts time to handle major cases such as murder and defilement.

Orwa said it would also enable the public to appreciate the importance of solving some cases without involving the courts.

‘The mediators will help the people since it is a cost-effective, flexible, confidential process. This will enable them not to use their resources in court but the mediators will be paid by the court,’ she said.

She said for one to be a mediator, he or she must have at least one degree in mediation, good communication skills, confidenti
ality, and also preserve the relationships of different parties.

Homa Bay High Court Judge Kiari Waweru said that the initiative was a good move that would help sort out small disputes and improve the county’s economy.

Source: Kenya News Agency