Eastern regional House of Chiefs is broke -chieftaincy cases put on sine dine

The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs is experiencing severe financial challenges, which have resulted in the Judicial Committee's work being disrupted and some chieftaincy cases being adjourned sine die. This funding crisis has raised concerns among litigants and stakeholders, as the financial difficulties may hinder the resolution of long-standing traditional disputes.

The House is struggling to secure the necessary funds to convene Judicial Committee sittings and cover administrative costs associated with hearing and determining chieftaincy cases. Consequently, parties whose cases are pending before the Judicial Committee have been asked to provide financial assistance, raising questions about the appropriateness of burdening litigants with operational costs.

The indefinite adjournment of cases could further delay the resolution of disputes that have been pending for several years, causing uncertainty for affected litigants and prolonging issues that may significantly impact traditional leadership, families, and entire communities. The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs plays a crucial role in the traditional justice system, particularly in addressing chieftaincy disputes and preserving traditional governance structures.

Any prolonged disruption to its operations could have far-reaching ramifications for traditional authorities and communities across the Eastern Region. The financial crisis is not a new issue, as concerns about inadequate funding for the House have been raised before; in January 2026, the President of the House expressed his concerns, seeking assistance from the government, state institutions, and other sponsors.

Similar funding challenges have also been reported at the national level. Stakeholders urge the government and other stakeholders to provide stable financial support to the Regional House of Chiefs to ensure that financial constraints do not undermine the administration of traditional justice. The need for a sustainable funding mechanism for regional houses of chiefs has come into sharp focus, with stakeholders advocating for adequate state funding to strengthen the House's capacity to perform its constitutional functions.