Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed three new judicial officers in the latest effort to strengthen Kenya's court system, even as the Judiciary faces mounting pressure from an ongoing nationwide boycott led by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

In a special notice published on Friday, July 31, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) announced the appointment of Tobias Korir, Javan Aduwo and Aileen Ingati as Resident Magistrates and Deputy Registrars with immediate effect.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 172 of the Constitution, the Judicial Service Commission appoints Tobias Korir, Javan Aduwo, and Aileen Ingati to be Resident Magistrates and Deputy Registrars," the notice states.

The appointments go beyond their primary roles. In separate notices issued the same day, the three officers were assigned additional judicial responsibilities intended to improve the handling of specialised cases across the country.

Under the Law of Succession Act, they have been authorised to exercise the powers of the High Court in succession matters at their current and future duty stations. They have also been designated to hear children's matters under the Children Act within their respective jurisdictions.

In addition, the three have been appointed adjudicators under the Small Claims Court Act, enabling them to preside over disputes before Small Claims Courts wherever they are posted.

The appointments come at a difficult moment for the Judiciary.

The LSK is currently leading an indefinite nationwide boycott of court proceedings involving Chief Justice Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and several other judicial officers. The lawyers' body says the protest is aimed at pressing for reforms, citing concerns over allegations of corruption, delays in the resolution of cases and unresolved governance issues within the Judiciary.

The Judiciary has rejected suggestions that the institution is in crisis. Chief Justice Koome has maintained that courts across the country remain operational despite the boycott and has defended the institution's ongoing reform efforts.

The latest appointments are expected to boost the Judiciary's capacity as courts continue to manage heavy caseloads spanning criminal, civil, family and commercial disputes.