Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has hit out at the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) after it sued Chief Justice Martha Koome over the Judiciary’s move to offer services at Huduma Centres.
In a statement on Sunday, January 28, Kuria said the LSK was misinterpreting the Judiciary’s independence.
The former Gatundu South MP wondered why it is wrong for Kenyans to access Judiciary services at Huduma Centers.
“Dear LSK. You are misinterpreting the independence of the Judiciary. What's wrong with citizens using Huduma Centres to access Judiciary Services? We offer services to all without discrimination. CJ Martha Koome and I are determined to revolutionise access to Judiciary Services through the Huduma innovation. Let us be,” Kuria stated.
Former LSK Vice President Carolyne Kamende through her lawyer Levi Munyeri moved to the High Court to sue CJ Koome, Huduma Kenya CEO, and Attorney General Justin Muturi for collaboration to have judiciary services at Huduma Centres.
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CS Kuria and the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary are also respondents in the lawsuit which was filed under a Certificate of Urgency.
In the petition, Kamende said that the Judiciary’s move to collaborate with the Executive in offering services undermines its independence and the hallowed doctrine of separation of powers.
The petitioner also argued that LSK was not consulted in the move to have judicial services at Huduma Centres and that public participation was not conducted as required by law.
Kamende further argued that people posing as lawyers will take advantage of the move to exploit unsuspecting members of the public.
On January 24, the Judiciary announced it has introduced nine essential services that Kenyans will access at six Huduma Centers starting January 29, 2024.
The services include; filing a new civil case, filing documents in an existing case, requesting and issuance of mention dates, general case inquiries, and virtual court support.
Others are; request for issuance of summons to enter appearance, notice to appear in divorce cases, extract court orders, decrees, certified/uncertified proceedings, and copies of rulings and judgments.
In addition, Kenyans will be able to get assistance in e-filing support, open e-filing accounts, account recovery and re-setting, e-filling password, how to navigate the system and how to self-help using the Judiciary Public Information Kiosk.
