The Judiciary has started training more than 400 judges, judicial officers and staff to handle disputes from the 2027 General Election, with Chief Justice Martha Koome warning that courts must be ready to deal with complex cases involving digital evidence and electronic results systems.

Koome announced the Election Dispute Resolution (EDR) programme on Wednesday, October 28, in Mombasa. It is being run by the Kenya Judiciary Academy and the Judiciary Committee on Elections, and training for High Court judges began the same day.

The wider rollout follows a training-of-trainers course for about 40 people who will help deliver the programme. The Nation reported that the training will run for eight months, ahead of the August 2027 polls.

"The programme is designed to strengthen the capacity of our courts to resolve electoral disputes competently, consistently, impartially and within the timelines that are prescribed by the law," Koome said.

What judges will learn

The curriculum covers:

  • The constitutional and legal framework governing elections
  • Pre-election disputes and election petitions
  • Jurisdiction and the strict timelines for determining cases
  • Scrutiny, recounts, and results management and transmission
  • Emerging electoral case law and appeals

The Chief Justice said technology would feature prominently. "Modern elections increasingly involve electronic records, digital communication and technology-based results management systems. Our judges and judicial officers must be adequately equipped to assess digital evidence," she said.

Beyond training, the Judiciary says it is reviewing registries, filing and record systems, and hearing schedules to cut administrative delays, and is assessing its staffing, financial and logistical needs for the election period.

Sh20.4 billion gap

The preparations come as the Judiciary presses Parliament for more money. According to the Nation, the institution wants Sh50.7 billion for the 2027/28 financial year, but the National Treasury has capped its allocation at Sh30.4 billion, leaving a shortfall of Sh20.4 billion, about 40 per cent of the request.

The proposal comprises Sh46.2 billion for recurrent spending and Sh4.5 billion for development, while the Judicial Service Commission has separately asked for Sh1.833 billion. Part of the money would support the Judiciary Committee on Elections and the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, which handle party and election-related disputes.

Koome said training for judges and magistrates, upgrading ICT systems, courtroom automation and opening new courts and tribunals depended on Parliament approving the budget.

'Every case on its merits'

The Chief Justice also moved to reassure Kenyans about the courts' independence ahead of what is expected to be a heated contest.

"Every case that comes before our courts will be considered on its merits, based on the evidence presented and the applicable law. Every litigant, regardless of political affiliation, status or position, is entitled to equal treatment," she said.

She cautioned against attempts to sway judicial proceedings through political pressure or public opinion and urged journalists covering election cases to distinguish allegations from established facts and political commentary from court decisions. The Judiciary, she added, would step up public communication on how electoral disputes are filed and decided to counter misinformation.

Photos: Nation Media Group; People Daily. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.