LODWAR — The Alternative Justice System (AJS) in Turkana County is seeking urgent support from the government and development partners to help resolve 78 pending cases and improve access to justice across the vast region. Local leaders are urging stakeholders to strengthen community-based justice mechanisms and boost public awareness, noting that expansive distances, poor transport networks, and a lack of dedicated funding continue to hamper operations.
The concerns emerged during a week-long AJS training and familiarization program in Lodwar, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Turkana County Government. The session brought together panelists from Naduat, Lokichar, Kakuma, and Lodwar to deepen their understanding of the AJS legal framework, ethical responsibilities, and practical dispute-resolution strategies. At the close of the training, John Lotir was elected AJS chairman, with Betty Lorogoi named deputy chairperson.
Samwel Emanman, representing the Turkana County Council of Elders, praised the initiative for making the local AJS office more accessible and transparent. He called on partners to extend training for elders into civic, legal, and cultural domains specifically to address customary practices that conflict with national laws, such as child marriage. Emanman stressed that continuous community education is essential to protecting children from harmful practices traded for wealth.
Residents highlighted severe logistical and financial burdens caused by delayed resolutions. Jacob Elim and Peter Ekeno noted that individuals traveling from remote hubs like Lokichogio, Kibish, Kapedo, and Loima often face expensive, repeated trips to Lodwar. Community member Priscila Lobuin appealed for faster determinations, emphasizing that many residents simply cannot afford prolonged travel costs to resolve local disputes.
Addressing these concerns, newly elected Chairman John Lotir clarified that the 78 unresolved cases had accumulated while AJS services were temporarily inactive. He expressed confidence that the panel would clear the backlog efficiently, reiterating that AJS provides a free, fast alternative to traditional litigation without the burden of legal fees.
To ensure long-term sustainability, local leaders are calling on Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai to establish a dedicated AJS administrator docket to oversee funding for transport, elder training, community sensitization, and case follow-ups. They emphasized that seamless collaboration between the county government, the Judiciary, the Council of Elders, and development partners remains critical to bringing accessible justice to every corner of Turkana.
