New resident magistrates start two-week training

Newly recruited resident magistrates have started on a two-week induction training programme to equip them with skills for their new judicial roles.

The induction and swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Smokin Wanjala, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya and Director General of the Kenya Judiciary Academy (KJA), at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi.

The programme is jointly organised by the Kenya Judiciary Academy and the Office of the Registrar, Magistrates Court and is designed as a comprehensive immersion into the institutional ethos of the Judiciary.

Justice Wanjala described the occasion as a significant milestone for the newly appointed magistrates and the Kenyan Judiciary.

He said their recruitment through a rigorous and competitive process reflects their merit, resilience and commitment to justice.

He emphasised that the induction marks the beginning of a solemn journey from the study of law to the lived responsibility of judicial office.

According to Wanjala, the curriculum has been carefully crafted to go beyond legal theory and address the practical, ethical and personal dimensions of judicial service.

Under the theme “Grounding for Greatness,” the programme focuses on equipping magistrates with skills in judgment writing, active case management, and judicial craft, while also fostering collegiality, wellness and resilience.

Sessions will explore the transformative role of adjudicators in enhancing access to justice and promoting social transformation.

The programme also includes psycho-social support and wellness initiatives, underscoring the Judiciary’s commitment to holistic development of its officers in recognition of the demanding nature of judicial work.

As the new magistrates prepare to take their oaths, Wanjala reminded them of the immense public trust vested in their office.

He underscored that “their courts are where the constitution meets the citizen and where the promise of justice becomes a tangible reality.”

Wanjala encouraged them to uphold integrity, empathy, patience and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law as they discharge their duties in various stations across the country.

The Kenya Judiciary Academy reaffirmed its dedication to continuous professional development and lifelong learning for judicial officers, aiming to build a Judiciary that is legally astute, technologically proficient and ethically steadfast.

The induction comes shortly after the Judicial Service Commission appointed 100 resident magistrates as part of its continued efforts to strengthen the administration of justice in Kenya.

The appointments align with the commission’s constitutional mandate to promote and facilitate a Judiciary that is independent, accountable, effective, efficient and transparent.

The new appointees will augment the current complement of 560 magistrates serving in 143 magistrates’ courts across the country. Magistrates’ courts form the backbone of Kenya’s justice system, handling the majority of criminal and civil cases and serving as the primary point of contact for most citizens seeking justice at the grassroots level.