<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Listers,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>For those who watched CheChe live this morning will agree with me that the discussions on Judicial reforms was very refreshing! (and informative). Gladys Boss Shollei did a great job in fielding questions from the trio. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>What struck me is the central role ICTs will play in the reforms – the Judicial Transformation Framework (Plan) will be launched tomorrow (we should be able to see the place of ICTs in this document).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>What was equally exciting was the extent of citizen engagement using ICTs tools with the judiciary have launched a short code, email link and online submission of pending cases to help them analyze and deal with years of backlog! They are also currently piloting the payment of fines by mpesa to be rolled out soon (I think someone on this list suggested this…it is happening).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>While this is exciting, many questions still linger - do we have the legislative framework that recognizes digital records as admissible evidence in court? (what became of the FOI and data protection bills?). w</span>hat steps could be taken to ensure international standards/framework for records management is followed in this process to avoid digitizing inefficiencies? I’m sure there is a host of other questions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Listers will recall sometime back we had a week long discussion on these issues on this list based on research work done in the region, Kenya included <span style='color:red'>(see attached reports as a reminder</span>). One of the themes discussed on this list was “<span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Electronic Records and Citizens’ Access to Justice”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Very vibrant discussions happened with good suggestions emerging on what should be taken into account – Grace/Alice, was the discussion report shared? Can we have a copy. I think the judiciary should get a copy of the recommendations from this list on this theme </span>“<span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Electronic Records and Citizens’ Access to Justice”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>May be this is an opportune time to engage with the judiciary as they wholly embrace ICTs to ensure that some of the issues raised in that report by listers is taken into consideration as they reform.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>CheChe should continue with this high-level type of debate (avoiding too much politics!) so Kenyans can engage with real issues that affect them and hold our leaders to account. I wish the CheChe debate could continue in some form online after the hour slot (much like THE STREAM on Al Jazeera) even if not moderated by the trio. Think about it Makali and co.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>I like the parting shot of the show when Gladys was asked by a Kenyan if she aspires to be the Next President! That should send a big signal to 2012 aspirants that Kenyans are looking for performers this time round!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Edith<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#002060'>________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Edith Ofwona Adera<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Senior Program Specialist <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Climate Change and Water Program<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Agriculture and Environment <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>International Development Research Centre <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa <span lang=EN-CA><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Liason House 2<sup>nd</sup> floor, State House Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR>+254-20-2713160/1 | Fax: +254-20-2711063 | Mobile: +254-733-624345<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:.25in'><span lang=FR>eadera@idrc.ca </span><span lang=FR-CA>| www.idrc.ca | www.crdi.ca</span><span lang=FR><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR-CA><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>