November 26, 2024

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Chief Justice launches Judiciary academy

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Chief Justice Martha Koome yesterday launched the Kenya Judiciary Academy (KJA), which is part of her strategic vision to improve training for judges, judicial officers and staff.

 Koome said the academy will be a place where judges, judicial officers and Judiciary staff can take a break from regular duties for learning, reflection and discussion.

The CJ, who also launched the academy’s website, presided over the handing over of the directorship of the Academy from Justice Kathurima M’Inoti, who was recently appointed a Judge of the Appellate Division of the East African Court of Justice, to Supreme Court judge, Justice Smokin Wanjala.

 The academy will have adequate facilities including a research centre for KJA’s Research and Policy Department, lecture halls, seminar rooms, well-stocked library, amphitheater, hotel, sports and gym facilities.

 Social context “My hope is to see the Kenya Judiciary Academy become a home where judges, judicial officers and judiciary staff can take a break from their normal duties for learning, reflection, and discussion. The Judiciary’s “window to the world,” she said.

The Chief Justice noted that the relocation of the Judiciary Training Institute from the Postbank Complex in Muthaiga, to the Kenya Commercial Bank Leadership Centre in Karen, was part of the quest for a permanent home for the KJA.

Koome directed the academy to pursue a three dimensional approach to judicial education which include elements of substantive knowledge, skills development and social context.

“Judges and judicial officers dealing with specialized areas of law should also acquire an understanding of the legal principles underlying the particular area of law concerned, so that they can make reliable findings on any technical issues presented to them for adjudication,” she said.