CJ Koome appoints over 200 magistrates to handle specialised cases

By | October 11, 2025

Chief Justice Martha Koome speaking during at the 5th St. Paul's University Annual International Research Conference on October 2,2025 PHOTO/CJ KOOME X

Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed more than 200 magistrates to handle specialised cases across the country, in a move meant to enhance judicial efficiency and improve access to justice.

The appointments, contained in Gazette Notices dated October 10 and 19, 2025, target corruption, land, and labour disputes, areas that have recorded some of the highest case backlogs in the courts.

In the new designations, six magistrates ;  Maureen Iberia, Victoria Achieng Ochanda, Janette Wandia Nyamu, Wilson Kipchumba Kitur, Christabel Irene Agutu and Japheth Cheruiyot Bii, will preside over corruption and economic crimes cases.

They will continue operating within their current stations while also handling related cases as assigned by the Judiciary.

Another 58 magistrates have been tasked with hearing environment and land cases. Among them are Kemei Silas Kandie, Akida Kassim, Elizabeth Khanali, Mwera Atamba Lynn, and Ng’ang’a Catherine Wanjiru.

The decision is expected to ease the pressure on the Environment and Land Courts, which have long faced a heavy backlog of disputes involving land ownership, boundaries, and usage.

The largest appointment involves 144 magistrates who will manage employment and labour relations cases.

They will hear disputes where the employee’s gross monthly salary does not exceed Sh80,000 and handle offences under key labour laws, including the Employment Act, Work Injury Benefits Act, Labour Relations Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Labour Institutions Act — all enacted in 2007.

CJ Koome said the appointments were made under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (2003), the Environment and Land Court Act (2011), and the Employment and Labour Relations Court Act (2011).

She explained that assigning magistrates to specific areas of law will help streamline case management and ensure matters are determined by officers with relevant expertise.

The Judiciary has been expanding specialised courts to enhance service delivery and reduce delays in justice. Koome said this latest move complements the broader reforms meant to decentralise access to justice and bring specialised services closer to the public.

The announcement comes as the demand for specialised judicial handling continues to grow, particularly in corruption, land, and labour disputes that often involve complex legal and technical issues. The Judiciary hopes that by expanding the pool of specialised magistrates, it will promote consistency, accountability, and faster resolution of cases.


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