Koome appoints anti-corruption judge, and expands court of Appeal and small claims courts

Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed a judge to preside over corruption and economic crimes cases while also announcing the expansion of appellate and small claims courts across several parts of the country.

In a Gazette notice dated March 6, the CJ appointed Gerald Mutiso to handle cases relating to corruption and economic crimes under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, I appoint Hon. Gerald Muuo Mutiso to preside over cases relating to corruption and economic crimes,” Koome stated in the notice.

The judge will preside over such cases within the jurisdiction of his current court station and any other station where he may be deployed in the future.

The CJ also announced the re-appointment of four members to the Co-operative Tribunal for a period of three years.

The members re-appointed include Paul Aol, Beatrice Sawe, Michael Chesikaw and Fridah Lotuiya.

They will serve for a period of three years, effective February 23.

In another move, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) re-appointed Eunice Daristu Fedha and Nicodemus Musyoka Mbwika to serve as members of the Public Private Partnerships Petition Committee for another three-year term.

The judiciary has also expanded the Court of Appeal structure with the establishment of new stations and registries in several counties.

According to the notice, new Court of Appeal stations will be established at Nkubu and Kakamega starting April 1, 2026.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Court of Appeal (Organisation and Administration) Act, the Chief Justice has established Meru Court of Appeal at Nkubu Law Courts with effect from 1st April 2026,” the notice stated.

A Court of Appeal sub-registry will also be established at Embu Law Courts from the same date to improve access to appellate services in the region.

The judiciary has further announced the establishment of new small claims courts in several counties to enhance access to justice and speed up the resolution of minor civil disputes.

Among the new courts are those located in Maua in Meru County, Mumias in Kakamega County, Molo in Nakuru County, Kapsabet in Nandi County and Ngong in Kajiado County.

Additional small claims courts will be located in Kenol, Kiambu, Mavoko, Makueni, Kilifi, Kikuyu, Vihiga, Homa Bay, Bungoma and Nyamira.

The establishment of the courts is expected to bring judicial services closer to wananchi and reduce case backlogs.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Small Claims Court Act, the Chief Justice has established Small Claims Courts to exercise jurisdiction in the designated counties,” the notice stated.

The latest changes form part of ongoing reforms within the judiciary aimed at improving access to justice and strengthening the country’s legal and judicial systems.