United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

The UNODC Regional Office in East Africa (ROEA)

UNODC joins NCAJ to launch new strategic plan on the Council's tenth anniversary

MOMBASA, Kenya, 28 October 2021 - In one of her first duties as Chairperson of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), Chief Justice, Martha Koome on 28 October launched the Council’s new Strategic Plan.

The NCAJ Strategic Plan 2021-2026 paves the way for NCAJ’s vision to be, A coordinated and cohesive justice sector serving the people in Kenya. Designed to be both aspirational and pragmatic, the Plan contains six strategic outcomes which comprise: Strengthened NCAJ coordinating mechanisms for improved access to justice; Enhanced criminal justice sector reforms; Improved capacity of CUC’s to coordinate administration of justice at local level; Established partnerships and stakeholder engagement mechanisms; Effective monitoring and evaluation for the justice sector in place; and Improved access to justice for vulnerable groups.

 In launching the Strategic Plan in Mombasa, Chief Justice Koome said, “We are launching our Strategic Plan at a time when it is coinciding with our tenth anniversary at NCAJ. This Strategic Plan charts the path for the next five years as we look ahead with optimism and  intent to maximise the opportunities that lie ahead.”

“This Strategic Plan is an expression to the people of Kenya of our commitment as members of NCAJ to actualise the constitutionally guaranteed rights of access to justice. In so doing, we will be inspiring public confidence in the delivery of justice and the rule of law,” said Chief Justice Koome.

She added that the COVID-19 pandemic had compelled the justice sector to be innovative in its response to ensure that all Kenyans continued to access justice. “This period has underscored the importance of a collaborative approach. It is important that this momentum is maintained,” she added.

Chief Justice Koome in expressing her gratitude, stated the development of the Strategic Plan was made possible through the support of the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery in Kenya (PLEAD). She thanked the development partners for their technical and financial support throughout the process.

Keynote speaker at the launch, European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger said the NCAJ’s Strategic Plan was an exemplary of commitment to change, improved service delivery and justice reform.

“This change initiative is directly linked to the Agenda 2030 and the sixteenth Sustainable Development Goal on the promotion of peace, justice and strong institutions.” She however said the work was far from over. “What lies ahead is a road more arduous, more trying, more difficult. It is the path to the full implementation of the reform priorities articulated in this plan.”

She said the European Union was proud to have supported the NCAJ’s transformative vision through PLEAD and remains committed to strengthen the NCAJ in its mandate.

Remarking on NCAJ’s new Strategic Plan at the launch, UNODC, Deputy Regional Director, Sylvie Bertrand said, ”The NCAJ Strategic Plan provides a clear vision and direction for the next phase of implementation in the six outcome areas identified, and shall with the collaboration of all partners have a greater impact in reaching the goal of a coordinated and collaborative justice sector.”

Ms. Bertrand added, “We are pleased to note that some of the emerging issues acknowledged in the plan include justice in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, and the important role of technology in enhancing stakeholder participation and coordination in the justice sector.”

Speaking on NCAJ’s tenth anniversary, Ms. Bertrand noted, “We celebrate the NCAJ for its achievements and commemorating ten years of effectively executing its mandate. UNODC is pleased to continue walking the journey with the NCAJ to ensure the institution operate optimally, and will continue to support the coordination of the justice sector through the NCA.J.

As a Council and through its committees, the NCAJ has achieved notable milestones and continues to grow in stature. NCAJ marked its tenth anniversary on 8 August this year.

The  NCAJ Strategic Plan 2021-2026 is available on the NCAJ website: www.ncaj.go.ke

For more information, contact:

NCAJ – ncaj@court.go.ke  

European Union – delegation-kenya-press@eeas.europa.eu

UN Office on Drugs and Crime – unodc-plead@un.org