Kenya’s judiciary, led by Chief Justice David Maraga, has launched a digital system that will enable cases to be filed online and manage related issues like fees payable, for example.

The system was developed internally by ICT staff at the Kenyan Judiciary within a two-year period from design, through piloting to its roll-out, and cost Ksh8-million.

Steven Ikileng, acting ICT Director at the Judiciary, detailed the steps taken to ensure the users’ data security. “First, first we ensured that we have a firewall between us and the user such that a third party cannot be able to access another person’s data. Secondly is that we have an interface where we encrypt all the data kept in the system; be it ID number, name, phone number, email or postal address, and payment information. This ensures that the data cannot be decrypted by the third party. Thirdly, once one scans and uploads the forms, they have to do it in pdf format as this will ensure more security.”

Chief Justice Maraga added: “This marks the singular most important step in our long journey to harnessing information technology as an integral part of our service delivery to our people.”

Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji said digitising the court system will enhance transparency and reduce cases of corruption.

“The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country in mid-March hastened efforts to incorporate the use of ICT in service delivery to Kenyans. This has resulted in a more technologically driven system which is the new norm in service delivery today globally. The e-filing system by the judiciary will help increase and achieve higher levels of efficiency to all stakeholders.”

The system allows the user to access almost all judicial services including case registration and payment of court fees via mobile money platforms or credit cards.