Chief Justice Martha Koome/HANDOUT

Chief Justice Martha Koome has gazetted the establishment of four new magistrates’ courts.

The move expands the network of lower courts across several parts of the country.

According to the gazette notice, the new courts are located in Kegonga, Emuhaya, Maara and Tarakwa, with their establishment taking effect from September 1, 2026.

The establishment of the courts was announced through separate notices dated August 26, 2026, issued by the Chief Justice under the Civil Procedure Act.

Kegonga Magistrates’ Court will fall under the supervisory jurisdiction of the Migori High Court, while Emuhaya Magistrates’ Court will operate under the Vihiga High Court.

"Take notice that the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya has established Maara Magistrates’ Court, which is within the supervisory jurisdiction of Chuka High Court, with effect from the 1st September, 2026," the notice adds.

Meanwhile, Tarakwa Magistrates’ Court will fall under the Eldoret High Court.

The new courts bring judicial services closer to residents in the respective areas, allowing matters that fall within the jurisdiction of magistrates’ courts to be handled closer to where communities live.

The establishment of magistrates’ courts is part of the Judiciary’s wider efforts to decentralise judicial services and improve access to justice, particularly for litigants who would otherwise have to travel longer distances to access court facilities.

Under the Judiciary structure, magistrates’ courts handle a wide range of matters, including civil and criminal cases within the limits prescribed by law.

They also operate under the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court within their respective geographical areas.

The gazettement therefore places each of the four new stations within an existing High Court structure, providing the necessary supervisory framework for their operations.

The move comes as the Judiciary continues to expand and reorganise its court stations in response to the need for wider access to judicial services.

Creation of additional courts can also help distribute caseloads among existing stations, potentially reducing the need for litigants, witnesses and other court users to travel to distant court centres.

The latest directive comes months after the CJ designated four Magistrates’ courts as Special Magistrates’ Courts to handle cases involving the possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with both municipal and international dimensions.

In a Gazette Notice dated January 15, 2026, Koome said the designation was made pursuant to the Constitution of Kenya and Section 5(2)(c) of the Judicial Service Act.

The designated courts are the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Magistrates’ Court, Kahawa Magistrates’ Court, Mombasa Magistrates’ Court and Busia Magistrates’ Court.