Perpetual Wabwoto, a Court Administrator in charge of Court-Annexed Mediation in Bungoma, is championing the use of mediation as a powerful tool to ease the overwhelming backlog of cases in the court system. Speaking during the “Usemi wa Kina Mama Programme” on West FM, Perpetual passionately explained how mediation could significantly reduce the time spent on cases, offering timely resolutions to disputes that otherwise drag on for years.
Perpetual, who hails from Ejinja in Matungu, shared her deep understanding of the challenges facing the justice system. She highlighted that many cases are delayed due to the absence of magistrates or lawyers, or unavoidable circumstances that lead to repeated adjournments. The introduction of court-annexed mediation, she believes, can resolve many of these cases without the need for long and tedious court proceedings, ultimately benefiting all parties involved.
Perpetual’s journey to becoming a court administrator has been anything but easy. Growing up in Matungu, she faced numerous obstacles, but she remained determined to succeed. Her education path took her from Mumias Central Primary to Butere Girls, then to Catholic University, and later Moi University. After completing her studies, Perpetual volunteered at a hospital in Kisumu where she worked on HIV/AIDS programs before pursuing a degree at Moi University. Her passion for helping others continued as she took up roles in HIV testing and counseling at the Eye Cap organization.
In 2016, Perpetual joined the judiciary, where she quickly rose through the ranks due to her hard work, dedication, and ability to work harmoniously with both her seniors and juniors. She credits much of her success to her father, who instilled discipline and a strong work ethic in her from a young age.
As a mother of two and a divorced woman, Perpetual openly embraces her marital status, drawing strength from the support of her children. She believes that motherhood has been one of the driving forces in her life, keeping her motivated and focused on ensuring a better future for her family.
“Being a mother has taught me the importance of resilience. My children keep me on my toes, and I am proud to provide for them,” she says.
Perpetual’s leadership extends beyond her administrative role; she is a passionate advocate for women and girls’ rights. She has played an active role in sensitizing women about their rights, offering support to those who have been sexually molested or subjected to gender-based violence (GBV), and helping those in need of child maintenance support.
“Whenever women come to me for help, I am always ready to listen and provide assistance,” she shares, underscoring her belief that understanding each woman’s unique situation is key to offering effective support.
Her work goes beyond merely offering help. Perpetual collaborates with local leaders and department heads to ensure witness protection is in place, and litigants receive the necessary advice and guidance to navigate their cases.
Perpetual’s message to women everywhere is clear: Stand up for your rights, stay busy, and pursue your dreams. She encourages women to seek help when needed and to embrace opportunities that will enable them to thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
“Women must fight for their rights and never be afraid to ask for help. Together, we can achieve great things,” Perpetual asserts.
As a Court Administrator and the person in charge of Court-Annexed Mediation, Perpetual is a staunch advocate for mediation as an alternative to prolonged litigation. She stresses that when both parties in a dispute agree through mediation, there is no room for an appeal, making it a faster, more efficient way to resolve disputes.
“Mediation is a powerful tool. It allows for amicable solutions without the stress and delays of traditional court proceedings,” Perpetual explains. She encourages those with cases that can be settled through mediation to consider this option, as it can help alleviate the burden on the court system and provide quicker resolutions.
Perpetual Wabwoto’s journey serves as a testament to the strength, resilience, and potential of women in leadership. Her tireless work in advocating for court-annexed mediation and women’s rights is helping to create a more efficient, supportive, and just society.
As she continues her work in Bungoma, she remains committed to making a lasting impact, empowering women, and transforming the way justice is delivered in Kenya.
