Kenya's judiciary has announced plans to open court sessions on Saturdays for minor offenses to improve access to justice and reduce case backlogs.
On January 31, 2026, during Judiciary Dialogue Day at Kibera Law Courts, Chief Justice Martha Koome announced that the pilot program would start at Kibera before expanding nationwide if successful. Saturday sessions will handle select matters, mainly minor offenses, and allow online cash bail and bonds. “We can have virtual hearings on Saturday to deal with bail and bond for those who are apprehended over the weekend. That is something we can explore,” Koome stated.
The move addresses concerns over Friday arrests leading to weekend detention until Monday, with some alleging it's used for bribes. “It is better to leave even one judge or magistrate to work on Saturdays even if it is up to 12pm, so that this act of locking people up to Mondays can end, so that we don't use the court systems to punish people who have not been proven guilty,” said Kibra MP Peter Orero.
Judiciary Dialogue Day is an annual event bringing together judicial officers, advocates, court users, and the public to discuss service delivery challenges and solutions. Traditionally, Kenyan courts operate Monday to Friday, holding Friday arrestees over the weekend. If implemented, these sessions could ease remand congestion, speed up case processing, and boost public confidence in the justice system.
