Kenya’s court-annexed mediation programme has concluded more than 41,000 cases over the past decade, releasing approximately KSh97.2 billion previously tied up in litigation into the economy.
Court of Appeal Judge and Chairperson of the Steering Committee on Mediation (SCOM), Justice Aggrey Muchelule, said 43,785 cases had been referred to mediation over the last 10 years, with 41,229 successfully concluded.
Speaking while chairing a SCOM meeting, Muchelule said the programme had expanded access to alternative dispute resolution while helping reduce the burden of cases handled through conventional court processes.
He further revealed that more than 2,700 mediators had been accredited to support the initiative, while the number of mediation registries had grown to 123 across the country.
The registries have expanded mediation services to areas including Mandera, Takaba and Elwak, extending access to communities beyond major urban centres.
The Steering Committee on Mediation is responsible for providing strategic leadership, coordination and oversight in the implementation and institutionalisation of mediation as a dispute resolution mechanism in Kenya.
Its mandate also includes overseeing the establishment of mediation registries in court stations and providing guidance on the development and review of policies, laws and institutional frameworks to encourage greater use of mediation.
The committee’s work is aimed at strengthening mediation as an alternative to lengthy litigation, enabling parties to resolve disputes through a structured process while easing pressure on the courts.
