Dispute Resolution Board urges Parliament to pass pending Mediation Bill

Speaking during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with St. Paul’s University, Limuru Campus, High Court Judge Lee Muthoga said the agreement to train local administrators will help equip them with the necessary skills to resolve conflicts and disputes amicably, outside the court system and without prejudice.

St. Paul’s University Vice Chancellor added that the training of mediators will promote access to justice beyond the formal court process. It will also help eliminate unqualified individuals posing as mediators, thereby reducing the backlog of cases gathering dust on judiciary shelves.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Dispute and Conflict Resolution Board, Mary Cheruiyot, said that many petty cases currently before the courts can be resolved through mediation by individuals trained at accredited institutions in the country, as proposed by Chief Justice Martha Koome.

Judge Muthoga also reiterated that the outcome of mediation, where both parties reach a consensus, can be submitted to the court and be legally recognised.