Nairobi – Chief Justice Martha Koome is set to launch the Judiciary Committee on Elections (JCE) Operational Plan for 2025–2028 today, signaling the Judiciary’s formal preparations for handling disputes in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The plan outlines a structured framework for managing electoral justice, including timelines for hearing and resolving petitions, training of judicial officers, and resource allocation. It also sets out strategies to strengthen institutional capacity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“This plan ensures we remain ready, impartial, and timely in resolving electoral disputes,” CJ Koome stated in a previous briefing on the Judiciary’s preparedness.
The Judiciary Committee on Elections, formed in August 2015, operates as a permanent body tasked with guiding the institution’s approach to electoral matters. It works closely with the Judiciary Training Institute and other agencies to offer continuous training for judges and magistrates involved in election-related cases.
The operational roadmap being rolled out today builds on the Judiciary’s experience from the 2022 elections. It emphasizes accountability, efficiency, and public confidence in handling post-election petitions.
The current committee is chaired by Justice Daniel Masinga of the Court of Appeal. He was appointed by former Chief Justice David Maraga to steer judicial readiness ahead of the last general election and continues to lead efforts toward a seamless legal process for electoral complaints.
According to court records, the Judiciary handled 168 election petitions following the 2022 vote, most of which were concluded within the legally prescribed timelines. The new plan aims to improve that record by reducing delays and increasing transparency.
The Judiciary has pledged to maintain its independence and to uphold the Constitution in all electoral matters. As Koome emphasized during a recent stakeholders’ meeting, “Fair elections are not only about voting day but also about how disputes are managed.”
The unveiling ceremony will also include input from legal experts and electoral observers, with discussions expected to focus on digital infrastructure, security of court processes, and public trust in the electoral justice system.
The Operational Plan will guide court actions through the 2027 electoral season and into the post-election phase, reinforcing the Judiciary’s central role in safeguarding democratic integrity.
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