The Supreme Court has opened Sub-Registries in Mombasa and Kisumu counties.
Opening of these sub-registries will eliminate cases of litigants travelling from Mombasa and Kisumu looking to file appeals before the Supreme Court in Nairobi.
Chief justice Martha Koome through a statement, mentioned that, the sub-registries are part of the Judiciary’s pledge to make access to justice easy.
The chief justice further noted that upon commencement of operations, the sub-registries will receive all filings from litigants and transmit urgent matters and files to the Central Registry in Nairobi.
“All matters in which the court has jurisdiction can now be filed in the sub-registries, apart from presidential petitions, which for logistical reasons must be filed at the seat of the Supreme Court in Nairobi,” she said.
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Moreover, Justice Koome reported that the court is conferred with exclusive original jurisdiction under Article 163(3)(a), to hear and determine disputes relating to elections to the Office of the President.
In addition, Koome explained that the court is working on a case management system that includes electronic filing.
According to the CJ, the court additionally has appellate jurisdiction under Article 163(3)(b) to hear and determine appeals from the Court of Appeal and any other court or tribunal prescribed by national legislation.
Furthermore, the court hears appeals from tribunals constituted under Article 168(8) of the Constitution to determine whether a judge ought to be removed from office.
“Other disputes are those under Article 163(6) of the Constitution, which gives the court with the power to give an advisory opinion at the request of the National Government, State organ or any County Government concerning any matter concerning counties,” the chief justice stated.