Chief Justice Martha Koome on Monday established new Court of Appeal stations in Kakamega and Meru, alongside 15 additional Small Claims Courts across Kenya.
The expansion brings the total number of appellate stations to eight and small claims courts to 55, part of the judiciary’s broader plan to decentralise services and improve public access to justice nationwide.
Under the new changes, a Court of Appeal station will be established at the law courts in Kakamega, while another will operate in Meru, sitting at Nkubu Law Courts.
The move increases the total number of Court of Appeal stations in Kenya to eight.
The new stations join existing appellate centres in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Kisumu and Eldoret.
The Chief Justice has also established a Court of Appeal sub-registry at the law courts in Embu.
The addition brings the total number of Court of Appeal sub-registries across the country to five. Other sub-registries previously established are located in Malindi, Garissa, Kisii and Busia.
Judicial officials say the expansion is intended to decentralise appellate services and make it easier for court users to access the justice system without travelling long distances.
The establishment of new Court of Appeal stations is expected to significantly reduce travel distances for litigants, lawyers and other court users, particularly those in the western and eastern parts of the country.
By bringing appellate services closer to communities, the judiciary hopes to reduce the cost of accessing justice while improving efficiency in the processing of appeals.
The changes are also part of a wider strategy aimed at improving service delivery within Kenya’s judicial system and addressing longstanding challenges such as case backlogs and delays in the resolution of disputes.
Alongside the new appellate courts, the judiciary has also expanded the reach of Small Claims Courts, which handle commercial and civil disputes involving relatively low monetary values through simplified procedures.
New Small Claims Courts have been established in several towns including Maua, Mumias, Molo, Kapsabet and Ngong.
Additional courts will also operate in Kenol, Kiambu, Mavoko, Makueni and Kilifi.
Other new stations include Kikuyu, Vihiga, Homa Bay, Bungoma and Nyamira.
With the addition of these stations, the total number of Small Claims Courts in Kenya has now risen to 55.
The courts are designed to provide faster, more affordable and simplified resolution of commercial and civil disputes involving relatively small financial claims.
Judicial officials say expanding the network of these courts will help businesses and individuals resolve disputes more quickly, supporting economic activity while easing pressure on other courts.
The broader expansion reflects the judiciary’s commitment to strengthening access to justice through specialised courts and decentralised judicial infrastructure.
Officials say increasing the number of court stations across the country is expected to improve turnaround time in cases and reduce congestion in existing courts.
By placing more courts closer to communities, the judiciary aims to ensure that Kenyans can pursue legal remedies within their local jurisdictions, reducing costs and logistical challenges often associated with court proceedings.
The move is part of a wider effort by the judiciary to bring justice services closer to the public while improving efficiency and service delivery across the country.