The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has appointed 100 new Resident Magistrates in a move aimed at expanding judicial capacity and improving access to justice across the country.
The appointments, announced on Thursday, mark a significant boost to Kenya’s magistracy, which now stands at 660 officers serving in 143 courts nationwide.
According to the Commission, the recruitment is intended to strengthen the administration of justice by reducing case backlogs, improving service delivery, and enhancing the Judiciary’s reach in underserved regions.
Magistrates’ Courts handle the bulk of criminal and civil matters filed in Kenya, making them central to the country’s justice system.
In a statement, the JSC said the additional officers will play a critical role in accelerating case processing and supporting ongoing reforms targeted at efficiency and public trust.
The new appointees are also expected to bolster specialised units such as Children’s Courts and Small Claims Courts, which have seen a rapid rise in caseloads.
“This expansion boosts the current 560 magistrates serving in 143 courts and supports our mandate to ensure an effective, efficient and accessible Judiciary,” the Commission said.
“These appointments represent a major step toward reducing case backlogs, improving access to justice—especially in underserved areas—and enhancing specialization in key areas such as Children’s Courts and Small Claims Courts.”
The new cohort of magistrates’ forms part of a wider strategy by the JSC to reinforce the rule of law and strengthen public confidence in judicial institutions.
The initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to modernise court processes, decentralise services, and uphold the constitutional principle of timely justice.
The Commission noted that the recruitment drive underscores its commitment to ensuring that Kenyans receive prompt and professional judicial services, particularly in regions that have historically faced staffing shortages.
The expanded magistracy is expected to ease pressure on existing courts and improve turnaround times for both criminal trials and civil disputes.
The JSC affirmed that it will continue implementing measures designed to support judicial officers and enhance the Judiciary’s effectiveness, as part of its broader agenda to improve justice delivery countrywide.
