Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked Constitutional Commissions, Independent Offices (CCIOs), and other State agencies to use alternative conflict resolution mechanisms in resolving matters as opposed to courts.
Speaking when he officially opened the Executive and CCIOs Consultative Forum in Naivasha, Nakuru County, the Deputy President noted that Kenyans suffer when matters are prosecuted in court and the media.
“I urge you to use my Office in settling disputes and conflicts. Already, we have settled a number of conflicts. It is not necessary to engage in the press. When we (government agencies) take each other to court, we hire lawyers who are paid by the public. There is no business going out there to hire a lawyer,” remarked Gachagua.
Mr Gachagua mentioned that his Office had successfully resolved issues between the Office of the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission while discussions are ongoing between the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission, among others and the results are promising.
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The Deputy President stated that court proceedings are an unfair process to Kenyans, now that the country is focusing resources on development.
He said a lot of resources would be saved to increase the financial and technical capacity of State Agencies to implement projects and programmes for realisation of the Kenya Kwanza Plan.
While saying over 80 percent of matters can be sorted through dialogue as underpinned by the Executive Order and other frameworks of alternative conflict resolution, the Deputy President said internal capacity can be used to pursue the remaining matters in court.
“Staff in the legal departments are paid every month. They are competent. There is no reason for committing millions of shillings in hiring lawyers,” he said.
The Deputy President called on the CCIOs to work with each other, saying there is value in cooperation and collaboration.
