Four new magistrates’ courts established: What it means for residents seeking justice

Chief Justice Martha Koome has established four new magistrates’ courts in a move intended to bring justice services closer to communities in Migori, Vihiga, Tharaka Nithi and Uasin Gishu counties.

The new courts are located in Kegonga, Emuhaya, Maara and Tarakwa.

Their establishment took effect on September 1, 2026, following four separate Gazette notices issued by the Chief Justice on August 26.

The new stations could reduce the distance residents travel to file cases, attend hearings, obtain court orders or follow up on succession, family and criminal matters.

However, gazetting a court does not necessarily mean that it immediately begins hearing every type of case.

The Judiciary will still need to provide magistrates, registry staff, prosecutors, security officers, equipment and a working case schedule.

Where the new courts are located

Each of the new magistrates’ courts has been placed under the supervisory jurisdiction of an existing High Court.

New court	County	Supervising High Court
Kegonga Magistrates’ Court	Migori	Migori High Court
Emuhaya Magistrates’ Court	Vihiga	Vihiga High Court
Maara Magistrates’ Court	Tharaka Nithi	Chuka High Court
Tarakwa Magistrates’ Court	Uasin Gishu	Eldoret High Court

The High Courts will exercise supervisory authority over the magistrates’ courts within their respective regions.

Appeals and applications that fall outside a magistrate’s powers may also be handled by the relevant High Court.

The courts were established through Gazette Notice numbers 14145 to 14148.

What cases can magistrates’ courts handle?

Magistrates’ courts are where most Kenyans first encounter the justice system.

They handle a wide range of criminal and civil disputes, although the powers of an individual magistrate depend on their rank and the value or seriousness of the case.

Services commonly provided include:

Criminal plea taking and trials
Bail and bond applications
Traffic cases
Civil claims
Family disputes
Children’s cases
Succession and inheritance matters
Maintenance and custody applications
Certain employment disputes
Certain land and environmental disputes
Applications for court orders and warrants

All magistrates’ courts can handle children’s matters, subject to the applicable law. These can include parental responsibility, custody, maintenance and cases involving children in need of care and protection.

The courts can also hear succession matters within their financial jurisdiction.

Cases such as murder and treason are handled by the High Court rather than tried to completion in a magistrate’s court. A magistrate may, however, deal with preliminary processes before such cases move to the High Court.

The Judiciary says magistrates’ courts are intended to provide accessible, timely and proportionate criminal and civil justice services.

Why Emuhaya residents could benefit

Residents of Emuhaya and neighbouring Luanda have previously travelled to Vihiga to obtain court services.

That journey increases transport costs and can make it more difficult for witnesses, victims, accused people and family members to attend hearings.

The Judiciary previously said the Emuhaya court building was financed by the Emuhaya National Government Constituencies Development Fund.

Bringing services closer could particularly help residents pursuing succession, land, maintenance and family cases, which often require several visits to a court registry.

It could also reduce pressure on the existing Vihiga court station if cases from Emuhaya and Luanda are transferred to the new court.

The Judiciary confirmed during the construction stage that the court was intended to serve residents who had been travelling to Vihiga.

Greater access for Kegonga

Kegonga is in Kuria East, Migori County.

The establishment of a court in the area could make it easier for residents to access judicial services without travelling to other court stations in the county.

This is important in criminal cases, where accused persons, police officers and witnesses may have to make repeated court appearances.

The court could also improve access for residents pursuing civil claims, inheritance disputes and children’s cases.

Kegonga Magistrates’ Court will operate under the supervisory jurisdiction of the Migori High Court.

Maara placed under Chuka High Court

Maara Magistrates’ Court in Tharaka Nithi County will fall under Chuka High Court.

The new station could ease pressure on existing courts and reduce travel for people living in Maara Constituency and surrounding areas.

The court’s establishment was formally announced through Gazette Notice No. 14147 and took effect on September 1.

Residents will need further information from the Judiciary on the registry’s location, filing procedures, sitting dates and the cases initially assigned to the station.

Tarakwa court to report to Eldoret

Tarakwa Magistrates’ Court will operate under the supervisory jurisdiction of the Eldoret High Court.

The station is expected to serve communities in and around Tarakwa, reducing their dependence on court services in Eldoret and other parts of Uasin Gishu.

This could lower transport expenses and reduce the time required to attend hearings or file documents.

Its effect will depend on the number of magistrates and staff deployed, as well as how frequently the court sits.

Are the courts already open?

The Gazette notices legally established the four courts from September 1.

The Judiciary has also publicly confirmed their establishment.

However, people should confirm that the relevant registry is operational before travelling to file a case or attend a hearing.

The notices do not provide detailed information on:

The number and rank of magistrates deployed
Registry opening hours
Telephone and email contacts
The first sitting dates
Cases that will be transferred from existing courts
Whether all services will begin at the same time
Availability of virtual court sessions

The Judiciary may introduce services in stages depending on staffing, infrastructure and the number of cases in each area.

Litigants with ongoing matters should not assume that their cases will automatically move to a new station.

A transfer would ordinarily require formal directions from the court. Until such directions are issued, parties should continue attending the station shown on their court documents.

What residents should check

Anyone planning to use one of the new courts should confirm:

Whether the registry has opened
The physical location of the court
Which cases are being accepted
Whether documents can be filed electronically
The court’s sitting days
Whether an existing case has been transferred
The official fees and payment channels

Court fees should only be paid through authorised Judiciary systems. Litigants should obtain and retain official receipts.

People who cannot afford a lawyer may also seek help from legal aid organisations, court user committees or the National Legal Aid Service, depending on the nature of their case.

More courts do not automatically mean faster justice

Opening additional court stations can reduce travelling distances and distribute cases across more locations.

But buildings alone will not eliminate delays.

The new courts will require enough magistrates, prosecutors, registry personnel, interpreters and support staff. They will also need reliable internet, electricity, secure storage for court records and facilities that are accessible to people with disabilities.

The Judiciary will need to publish clear information on staffing, caseloads and the services available at each station.

For residents of Kegonga, Emuhaya, Maara and Tarakwa, the Gazette notices are an important first step.

The real measure of success will be whether the courts become fully operational and allow people to resolve disputes more quickly, affordably and closer to home.

Category: Crime & Justice

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