It’s official! Ministry hails designated courts for drug cases

Handcuffs./FILE

The interior ministry has welcomed the designation of four magistrate courts to handle Drug cases.

In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said serious drug cases with local or international elements will from now on be heard at the JKIA, Kahawa, Busia and Mombasa Magistrates’ Courts.

“It’s official. Four Magistrates’ Courts have been designated to handle cases involving possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,” the ministry said.

These courts were gazetted on January 21 by the Judiciary.

The ministry noted that the move targets complex cases, particularly those linked to major transit points such as airports, ports and border crossings.

“Serious drug cases with local or international elements will from now on be heard specifically at those Magistrates’ Courts,” it said.

The Interior Ministry said the designation was aimed at strengthening efficiency and coordination in the justice system.

“Together with the Kenya Judiciary, our aim is to improve efficiency in handling drug-related cases, especially those linked to airports, ports, borders and major transit points,” the ministry said.

The ministry said the new arrangement is expected to enhance the handling of drug cases and reinforce Kenya’s efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and related crimes.

Under the new framework, cases of drug trafficking, possession, and consumption—some of which have previously taken years to conclude—could now be determined within days or weeks.

Police and prosecutors say they are prepared to present and conclude cases with unprecedented speed, a shift they believe will strengthen deterrence and restore confidence in the justice system.

National Police Service spokesperson Michael Muchiri said investigators are ready to move swiftly, noting that the establishment of dedicated courts removes the bottlenecks caused by congested dockets.

“We are ready to even present and conclude the cases within a day or a week. We know there are new courts focused on this issue and we are ready for the war ahead,” he said, adding that at least three new drug-related cases are recorded daily, many of which remain pending in the ordinary courts.

On January 15, 2026, Chief Justice Martha Koome gazetted four courts as Special Magistrates’ Courts to hear and determine cases involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with municipal and international dimensions.

The courts are located along key entry and transit routes commonly associated with drug trafficking.