TURKANA – Alternative Justice System (AJS) leaders in Turkana County have called for greater public awareness of community-based justice mechanisms to improve access to faster, affordable, and accessible dispute resolution, particularly for residents in remote areas. The remarks were made on 25 August 2026 at the close of a week-long AJS training and familiarization programme attended by panelists from across Turkana County, including Naduat, Lokichar, Kakuma, and Lodwar.
For many residents in Turkana, seeking justice through the formal court system can be difficult and costly, particularly for people living far from court stations and those unable to afford legal representation. Long distances, legal costs, and lengthy litigation can leave vulnerable residents struggling to pursue or resolve disputes. Against this backdrop, AJS leaders said stronger public awareness of alternative justice mechanisms could help bring dispute resolution closer to communities while reducing the time and costs associated with formal litigation.
Samuel Malman, the Turkana County AJS representative, said AJS offers communities an alternative to formal court processes, which can often take considerable time and impose financial burdens on litigants. “AJS provides an alternative way of helping our people resolve their disputes instead of going through court processes, which often take a long time. Through AJS, cases can be resolved much faster and without the costs associated with litigation,” Malman said.
Malman noted that about 78 cases were currently pending at the AJS Centre, but expressed confidence that they could be handled more efficiently as the system becomes fully operational. “We currently have about 78 pending cases. Although that may appear to be a large number, once we begin handling them actively, we expect to clear them within a reasonable time,” he explained. He thanked the Turkana County Government and the Judiciary for supporting the initiative, saying their backing had helped revive AJS services in the county.
However, the leaders identified a lack of public awareness as a major challenge to the effective use of AJS. They urged the county government and development partners to support sustained civic education on AJS, the law, and community-based dispute-resolution mechanisms. Malman emphasized that public education was particularly important among community elders, whose traditional role in resolving disputes can sometimes intersect with formal legal processes, stating, “We need more public education so that our communities can understand the law, their rights, and how AJS works.”
Participants also highlighted that greater access to AJS could benefit women and girls, particularly those facing family disputes and harmful traditional practices. Betty Lorogoy, who attended the training, shared that women and girls could benefit from a justice system that is more accessible at the community level. “This meeting has touched on many issues affecting women and girls. Through AJS, girls facing harmful practices and women dealing with family disputes can get the support they need,” she said.
The AJS leaders are now calling for wider community sensitisation to ensure residents understand where and how to seek help. They maintained that sustained awareness and effective community-based justice mechanisms could reduce delays and costs while bringing dispute resolution closer to the people.
