Africa-Press – Kenya. Chief Justice Martha Koome, President, Judicial Service Commission. The Judicial Service Commission has appointed 100 new Resident Magistrates, a move aimed at strengthening the administration of justice across Kenya.
The new appointments boost the number of magistrates serving in the country’s courts, supporting the judiciary’s mandate to provide effective, efficient and accessible justice.
“This expansion boosts the current 560 magistrates serving in 143 courts and supports our mandate to ensure an effective, efficient and accessible Judiciary.”
Resident Magistrates are key judicial officers in Kenya’s subordinate court system. They preside over both civil and criminal cases, make rulings, issue warrants and court orders and oversee the administration and staff at their stations.
Their work spans a wide range of matters, including traffic violations, family disputes and land-related cases, making them crucial to maintaining the smooth operation of justice at the local level.
“Magistrates’ Courts handle most criminal and civil cases, making these appointments a major step toward reducing case backlogs, improving access to justice – especially in underserved areas – and enhancing specialisation in key areas such as Children’s Courts and Small Claims Courts,” the JSC said.
This will allow senior Judicial Officers in major stations to focus on more complex matters within their expanded jurisdictions. These improvements in efficiency, access and specialisation will collectively contribute to strengthening public confidence in the justice system.
Resident Magistrates’ Courts serve as courts of first instance, operating under the High Court. Their jurisdiction and powers are defined by statutes such as the Criminal Procedure Code and the Magistrates’ Courts Act.
Magistrates have the authority to impose fines of up to Sh20,000, imprisonment for up to seven years, and corporal punishment, along with special powers for specific offenses. The recruitment of 100 additional magistrates is part of a broader strategy to ensure timely justice delivery across the country.
By placing more judicial officers in courts, particularly in underserved regions, the judiciary seeks to reduce case backlogs, speed up the resolution of disputes, and strengthen public confidence in the legal system.
“This recruitment is part of the commission’s broader strategy to ensure timely justice delivery and reinforce public confidence in the rule of law,” the JSC said.
With more magistrates in place, courts are expected to handle cases more efficiently, including specialised areas such as small claims and children’s matters, which require targeted expertise.
The new appointments also aim to improve access to justice for citizens who previously faced long delays or had to travel long distances to reach functioning courts. As Kenya continues to reform and strengthen its Judiciary, the role of Resident Magistrates remains central.
By presiding over a wide array of legal disputes and ensuring the smooth administration of justice at the local level, the judicial officers help maintain the rule of law and reinforce public trust in the legal system.
The JSC’s latest appointments represent a major step toward achieving these goals. They add to the May 2024 appointment of 20 High Court Judges by President Ruto.
