President William Ruto has said court-annexed mediation has returned more than Sh52 billion to the economy and helped restore over 8,000 family relationships since its introduction in 2016, highlighting the growing role of alternative dispute resolution in Kenya's justice system.

Speaking during the Africa Chief Justices’ Alternative Dispute Resolution Summit 2026, Ruto said the Judiciary has recorded significant gains through mediation and other people-centred approaches to justice, reducing delays and easing the burden on courts.

“The impact has been significant. Through court-annexed mediation, more than Sh52 billion has been returned to our economy, and over 8,000 relationships among disputing families have been restored since 2016,” Ruto said.

He noted that the Judiciary resolved more cases than were filed last year, achieving a case clearance rate of 104 per cent and reducing the backlog of cases by nearly a third.

The President said alternative dispute resolution mechanisms are helping courts deliver justice that is faster, less adversarial and more responsive to the needs of citizens.

He cited the Al-Islaah Alternative Justice Centre in Garissa as an example of community-based justice that integrates mediation and local values to resolve disputes.