NAIROBI, Kenya, June 14 – The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Judiciary have launched a Sh250 million project aimed at digitizing 42 law courts across 28 counties through the deployment of Local Area Networks (LANs).
The initiative, unveiled at the Msambweni Law Courts in Kwale County, is designed to improve the efficiency and accessibility of judicial services by enabling virtual hearings, real-time case management, and digital information sharing.
The digitization is expected to reduce reliance on physical attendance in court proceedings, particularly benefitting remote and underserved regions.
The LAN infrastructure allows courts to manage cases electronically, hold video hearings, and streamline internal communications.
Chief Justice Martha Koome said the project is part of the Judiciary’s broader Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) strategy, aimed at modernizing the legal system.
Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo described it as a key component of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
CA Director General David Mugonyi noted the LAN project is funded through the Universal Service Fund (USF), which since 2018 has connected nearly 800,000 people to mobile networks and converted 56 public libraries into digital hubs.
USF Advisory Council Chair James Ongwae added that the fund’s 2023–2027 strategy includes infrastructure expansion, digital skills training, and addressing device affordability gaps.
The courts targeted in this phase span counties including Meru, Isiolo, Turkana, Bungoma, Kilifi, Marsabit, and Nyamira.
With connectivity in place, courts can now facilitate services such as bail applications and plea-taking via video conferencing, significantly cutting travel time and costs for litigants.
The project is aligned with the government’s broader Digital Superhighway initiative, which includes the rollout of 2,500km of fiber optic cable across 19 counties.
Officials say the digitization of court infrastructure marks a key step toward enhancing transparency, reducing case backlogs, and expanding access to justice.
