Chief Justice Martha Koome has officially appointed 129 judicial officers to serve as adjudicators in small claims courts across Kenya. The appointments were announced in a gazette notice published on September 26, 2025.
According to Justice Koome, the newly designated officers will handle cases within the court stations where they currently serve. They may also preside over matters in any other stations where they could be deployed in the future. The appointments took effect on September 1, 2025, and each officer will serve for a period of 12 months.
Some of the officers named in the notice include Manuela Kinyanjui, Mercy Nkirote Kinyua, Dennis Nguli Kioko, Jacklyne Tawai Khalimesi, Jacinta Mwangi Wangeci, Philomena Nafula Makokha, Grace Mutemi, John Ogutu Ochieng, Larry Kombe Matawi, Lucy Gitari Wanja, and Victor Shivega.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6(2) of the Small Claims Court Act, 2016, I, Martha K. Koome, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, designate the following Judicial Officers as Adjudicators in any proceedings under the Act in the areas of jurisdiction of their current court stations and any future stations to which they may be deployed from time to time, for a period of twelve (12) months, with effect from the 1st September 2025,” she stated in the notice.
Small claims courts are designed to provide a quick, affordable, and straightforward way to settle civil disputes involving amounts of up to Ksh1 million. In these courts, adjudicators play the role of judges. Their duties include keeping order in court, listening to parties involved in cases, applying the relevant laws, and ensuring that the court’s independence and fairness are maintained.
This development comes just one week after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) revealed that 117 judicial officers had been promoted to higher positions within the judiciary.
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 18, JSC Secretary Winfridah Mokaya explained that the promotions followed interviews conducted between August 4 and August 13, 2025. The commission later approved the promotions during meetings held on September 11 and 15.
According to the JSC, nine magistrates were promoted to the rank of Chief Magistrate. Another 67 officers were elevated to Senior Principal Magistrate, while six advanced to Principal Magistrate. Additionally, 15 officers were promoted to Senior Principal Kadhi, and 20 others became Principal Kadhis.
“The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has approved the promotion of 117 Judicial Officers following interviews conducted between 4th and 13th August 2025. The promotions, ratified during Commission meetings held on 11th and 15th September 2025, took effect immediately,” the statement noted.
These two major announcements reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen the judiciary by increasing capacity, improving service delivery, and ensuring faster access to justice for members of the public.
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