It is almost inevitable in the course of an electoral process that disputes will arise. Effective electoral dispute resolution mechanisms are vital to mitigate such disputes.
Over the past three electoral periods, in 2007, 2013 and 2017, Kenya has experienced a series of electoral injustices which have resulted in electoral malpractices, post-election violence and death of civilians.
Against this backdrop, AGA-Africa collaborated with the Kenya Judiciary Academy (KJA), for an informative 5-day symposium held on the 6th–10th June titled ‘Election Dispute Resolution Training for Supreme Court Judges’.
The training was aimed at providing a platform for the Supreme Court Judges to enhance their knowledge and skills on the election process, pre-election dispute resolution and election technology to enhance their capacity to effectively manage and adjudicate all electoral disputes.
The opening ceremony was moderated by Hon. Mr. Justice (Dr.) Smokin Wanjala, CBS, Justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya and Director Kenya Judiciary Academy.
Keynote addresses were made by Hon. Lady Justice Martha Koome, EGH, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Hon. Lady Justice Philomena Mwilu, MGH, Deputy Chief Justice and Vice President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Markus Green, AGA-Africa Board Member, Hon Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, Justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya and Chairperson Judiciary Committee on Elections, Kimberly Mahling, Director of Democratic Governance on who spoke on behalf of His Excellency Eric W. Kneedler, Charge’ d’Affaires ad interim, at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Lamin Ligha, Senior Election Advisor, International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES), Felix Owuor, Executive Director, Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA) and Protas Saende, Chair, International Commission of Jurists-Kenya (ICJ-K).
The symposium was facilitated by local and regional subject matter experts: Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, Justice of the Supreme Court, Ghana, Justice Frank Edgar Kapanda, Justice of Appeal, Supreme Court of Appeal, Malawi, Hon Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, Supreme Court Judge of Kenya and Chairperson Judiciary Committee on Elections, Hon. Justice Isaac Lenaola, Supreme Court Judge of Kenya, Hon. Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u, Supreme Court Judge of Kenya and her Law Clerk Janet Ogata, Professor Migai Akech, Associate Professor, University of Nairobi, Professor Collins Odote, Associate Professor, University of Nairobi, Stephen Kiptinness, Advocate and Lecturer and Ben Chege, ICT Advisor Electoral Law and Governance Institute of Africa
