NCAJ Approves Election Preparedness Plan, Backs New Sexual Offences Bill

By Monyonge Kebati

The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) has moved to strengthen Kenya’s justice system ahead of the 2027 General Election, approving a series of reforms aimed at improving coordination among justice institutions, tackling gender-based violence, enhancing road safety, and speeding up access to justice.

In a communiqué issued after its 38th Council Meeting on Wednesday, July 29, chaired by Chief Justice Martha Koome, the Council said the resolutions are intended to build a more coordinated, responsive and people-centred justice sector.

One of the key decisions was the reactivation of the NCAJ Ad Hoc Committee on Election Preparedness following a briefing by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The committee, to be led by the IEBC Chairperson, will coordinate justice sector preparations to support peaceful, constitutional and credible elections in 2027 through stronger collaboration among relevant institutions.

The Council also dismissed concerns about the state of the justice sector, assuring Kenyans that there is no crisis in the administration of justice. It said justice institutions continue to work closely together through national and grassroots court user committees to improve service delivery and address local challenges.

Among the major policy decisions, the NCAJ formally approved the draft Sexual Offences Bill, 2026, which will now be submitted to the National Assembly after final updates. The proposed law seeks to respond to emerging forms of sexual and gender-based violence, including technology-facilitated offences, while strengthening legal protections against femicide and improving support services for survivors.

The Council further renewed its focus on road safety, describing it as a national priority. It acknowledged progress made in reducing road fatalities and urged the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and other agencies to continue implementing reforms aimed at improving safety on Kenyan roads.

In criminal investigations, the NCAJ approved a revised Identification Parade Form for use by the National Police Service. The Council said the revised procedures are intended to enhance fairness, transparency and compliance with constitutional and international human rights standards during suspect identification.

The meeting also resolved to strengthen the fight against wildlife crimes such as poaching, illegal bushmeat trade and trafficking of wildlife trophies. Following a presentation by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Council called for closer collaboration among agencies to prevent, investigate and prosecute wildlife-related offences.

On correctional reforms, the NCAJ established committees led by the Judiciary and the State Department for Correctional Services to assess the feasibility of introducing Specialized Recovery Treatment Courts and Open Prisons. The proposed reforms are expected to promote rehabilitation, reduce repeat offending and support the reintegration of offenders into society.

The Council also considered new National Guidelines on Interviewing Children in the Justice System. The guidelines are designed to ensure child-sensitive interviewing practices that protect children’s rights while improving their access to justice.

Additionally, the Council emphasized the need for justice institutions to embrace digital transformation and approved several reform initiatives, including people-centred justice guidelines, procedures for handling sexual and gender-based violence cases at the grassroots, an ICT policy and action plan, and measures to reduce case backlogs.

Concluding the meeting, Chief Justice Martha Koome reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening collaboration across justice institutions and implementing reforms that promote timely, accessible, inclusive and accountable justice for all Kenyans.