The Judiciary Service Commission has appointed 100 resident magistrates to serve in courts across Kenya. The appointments were announced on the evening of Thursday, December 11, 2025, and aim to strengthen judicial service delivery. This step seeks to reduce case backlogs and enhance access to justice in underserved regions.
The Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) has taken a significant step by appointing 100 resident magistrates to serve in magistrates' courts nationwide. The appointments were officially announced on the evening of December 11, 2025, boosting the judiciary's current capacity of 560 magistrates operating in 143 courts.
According to the commission's statement, these additions will promote effective, efficient, and accessible justice delivery from the third arm of government. They represent a major effort to address case backlogs, a persistent challenge for the judiciary. The new magistrates are set to improve justice access particularly in underserved areas and support specialization in areas like children's courts and small claims courts.
The process followed a recruitment drive advertised by the JSC in June 2025. The shortlist was published on November 12, 2025, with interviews starting on November 28. The last group of 47 magistrates was appointed in 2019 and sworn in on January 28 that year.
Among the appointees are Sharon Kaari Njagi, Micheal Mwangi Mugo, James Juma Mayiah, Joyce Salama Gona, Clinton Kiptoo Lelei, Mwanasha Rajab Mwadzoyo, Joshua Lagat, and James Gitau, among others. This initiative aligns with the commission's wider strategy to ensure timely justice and bolster public confidence in the rule of law.