The Judiciary of Kenya will today, Thursday, October 30, 2025, carry out an institution-wide employee census as part of its ongoing reforms to strengthen human resource management and improve data integrity.
Chief Justice Martha Koome said the exercise is designed to enhance staff planning, accountability, and efficient use of resources across court stations and administrative units. She emphasised that reliable institutional data is vital for effective decision-making and strategic management.
“In November 2021, the Judiciary invited the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to conduct a systems review and audit of its policies and practices,” Justice Koome noted, adding that the new census follows the same reform spirit of promoting transparency and integrity.
The Chief Justice explained that accurate staff data supports the Judiciary’s Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint, which seeks to make justice more efficient and accessible. The last similar census was conducted in 2018.
Comparable initiatives have also been undertaken by other public agencies, including the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), and several county governments to boost accountability and streamline operations.
Justice Koome assured court users and advocates that judicial proceedings will not be disrupted during the exercise, saying, “The Judiciary has organised the census to ensure minimal interruption to court operations.”
Since the 2010 Constitution, the Judiciary has implemented major reforms such as the Judiciary Transformation Framework (2012-2016) and digital innovations like e-filing and virtual courts to strengthen transparency and efficiency.
Despite progress, the Judiciary continues to face challenges like case backlog, uneven staffing, and underfunding. The current census underscores a shift toward data-driven decision-making, ensuring equitable resource allocation and improved service delivery across Kenya’s justice system.
