Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed 129 judicial officers as adjudicators of the Small Claims Court for a renewable twelve-month term starting September 1, 2025.
The appointments, made under the Small Claims Court Act, 2016, empower the officers to preside over proceedings at their current and future court stations. This move is part of the judiciary’s ongoing reforms aimed at improving access to justice and ensuring the speedy resolution of minor disputes.
Among those appointed are Manuela Kinyanjui, Mercy Nkirote Kinyua, Dennis Nguli Kioko, Habrovinah Nyamweya, Jackinda Rena Aketch, Dorence Chelangat Soy, Jacinta Mwangi Wangeci, Cornel Omondi Ochieng, and Grace Mutemi, among many others. The appointments represent a diverse pool of officers drawn from across the country, reflecting the judiciary’s commitment to decentralizing justice.
The Small Claims Court plays a vital role in handling disputes involving amounts not exceeding Ksh 1 million. Its streamlined processes are designed to reduce case backlogs in higher courts and provide faster resolutions to ordinary Kenyans, particularly in commercial and contractual disputes.
Chief Justice Koome has consistently emphasized the need to strengthen these courts as a way of delivering justice that is both efficient and affordable. The deployment of additional adjudicators is expected to ease congestion, speed up hearings, and boost public confidence in the judicial system.
In a separate development, Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor appointed Bernard Kipkoech Ngetich and Tom Ratemo as members of the Board of Directors of the Kenya School of Law (KSL). Their four-year term, effective September 26, 2025, will see them contribute to governance and oversight at the country’s premier institution for legal education and professional training.
Together, these appointments signal renewed efforts to strengthen Kenya’s justice and legal education systems, ensuring they remain responsive to the needs of citizens.
