Chief Justice Martha Koome on Monday presided over the swearing in ceremony of 69 new resident magistrates who have been recently recruited.
The 69 new magistrates will also serve as the small claims court adjudicators which the CJ said was the people’s court.
In her speech, Koome said both the magistrates’ courts and the small claims courts are people court because of the bulk of criminal, traffic and civil cases that are registered in the courts.
She revealed that according to statistics, 85 per cent of cases that come to the Judiciary are heard and determined at these subordinate courts.
Koome said these courts are where the highest numbers of unrepresented litigants are found, meaning that the vast majority of people’s experience of the law and the justice system is drawn from their contact or interaction with the Magistrates’ Courts and the Small Claims Courts.
She advised them to eliminate case backlog and delays in the delivery of justice, which is the most common complaint from Kenyans.
“You must work to meet our target of ensuring that no court case stays in a Magistrates Court for more than three three years, and no more than 60 days in a Small Claims Court,” Koome said.
She further urged them to familiarise themselves with the ‘Code of Judicial Conduct and Ethics’ and make the ‘Code’ a guide in all actions.
She warned them against corruption deals saying the judiciary will deal swiftly and firmly with any allegations relating to corruption.
“Your duty as judicial officers is to decide the cases that come before you in accordance with the law. This demands that you exercise independent judgment – free from external influence or motivation,” she added.
