KENYA: Kenya Judiciary Overhaul: Chief Justice Koome Reassigns 33 High Court Judges

           By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced a major reshuffle within Kenya’s judiciary, reassigning 33 High Court judges to various stations and divisions across the country.

The move is part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency, reducing case backlogs, and enhancing access to justice for all Kenyans.

The reassignments, which are set to take effect on January 15, 2025, will see judges deployed to regions and court divisions where their expertise is most needed.

Stations in underserved areas such as the Rift Valley and Coast will receive additional judges to address long-standing delays in case resolutions.

In a statement, Chief Justice Koome emphasized the importance of the reshuffle in creating a more dynamic and responsive judiciary.

“Our commitment is to ensure that every Kenyan has access to fair and timely justice. These changes are necessary to achieve a balanced workload and strengthen judicial performance across the country,” she said.

The reshuffle has been widely welcomed by the legal community, with many seeing it as a step towards addressing systemic inefficiencies in Kenya’s judiciary.

However, some concerns have been raised about the potential for disruptions in ongoing cases, especially those involving complex litigation.

Stakeholders have urged the Judiciary to ensure smooth transitions to minimize delays.

This reshuffle forms part of Chief Justice Koome’s broader reform agenda, which includes digitizing court operations, expanding judicial infrastructure, and increasing the number of magistrates and judges.

The reforms aim to make Kenya’s judiciary more accessible, efficient, and equitable for all citizens.

The Judiciary’s leadership remains steadfast in its mission to transform the justice system, reaffirming its role as a pillar of fairness and accountability in Kenya’s governance framework.