The Judiciary has unveiled the 12th Small Claims Court in Meru town to expedite justice for residents and reduce the backlog of cases in Meru law courts.

Speaking during the launch, Chief Justice Martha Koome said the establishment was informed by the backlog of cases in the five magistrate courts in the county run by about 20 magistrates.

“The opening of the small claims courts is part of a plan by the Judiciary to deal with the huge backlog of cases in Kenyan courts, and also keeping up with the government’s bottom up economic agenda as it targets the low income earners who have disputes,” said Koome.

Further, Koome said the small and medium business people accounted for a significant portion of the economy, hence the need to expedite justice for them by way of fast-tracking their disputes in court and as a result help them to continue with their businesses.

“If someone owes a small businessperson Sh20,000, that is enough to make her close down her business. The small claims court therefore is here to ensure such people get justice within 60 days of filing the case and thereafter continue with their businesses,” she said.

Additionally, she said the small claims court would ensure that the process of justice trickled down to the people in the rural areas adding that similar courts would be opened in Maua and Nkubu to ease the burden of the cases.

“We are also hiring 60 resident magistrates and we will deploy some of them as adjudicators in the small claims court including Meru County,” said Koome.

Judiciary Deputy Chief Registrar Mr Paul Ndemo is targeting to open about 100 small claims courts that will be spread throughout the country.

On her part, Governor Kawira said her administration was ready to offer the Judiciary more land to build courts across the county.

She said they were also in the final stages of acquiring land for the construction of a court in Timau and the establishment of more courts in Gaitu, Mutuati and Mikinduri.

“We are ready to give the Judiciary all the support they require in the interest of ensuring our people get the services they deserve,” said Ms Mwangaza.

The CJ was accompanied by Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, her deputy Isaac Mutuma, Ombudsman Florence Kajuju, Woman representative Elizabeth Karambu Kailemia, and Meru presiding judge Edward Muriithi among other judiciary officials.