Residents of four areas will have access to magistrates’ courts closer to home after Chief Justice Martha Koome gazetted the establishment of new court stations in Kegonga, Emuhaya, Maara and Tarakwa.
The four courts took effect on September 1, 2026, according to a gazette notice dated September 4, 2026.
Koome had issued separate notices on August 26, 2026, formally establishing the courts under the Civil Procedure Act.
The new stations will be attached to different High Courts for supervision. Kegonga Magistrates’ Court will be supervised by the Migori High Court, while Emuhaya Magistrates’ Court will fall under the Vihiga High Court.
Maara Magistrates’ Court will operate within the supervisory jurisdiction of the Chuka 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.
Tarakwa Magistrates’ Court will be placed under the Eldoret High Court.
The gazettement means residents in the four areas will no longer have to travel as far to access services handled by magistrates’ courts.
The courts will deal with civil and criminal matters that fall within the powers given to magistrates by law. They will also remain under the oversight of the High Court in the areas where they are located.
By creating the additional stations, the Judiciary is extending its court network to more communities while giving court users access to services nearer to their homes.
The new courts could also help spread cases across existing court stations, easing pressure on facilities that serve wider areas.
For litigants, witnesses and other court users, having a court station within easier reach can reduce the time and cost involved in travelling to attend court proceedings.
The latest move adds to other changes made by the Judiciary this year as it seeks to strengthen the handling of specific cases and improve access to judicial services.
In January, Koome designated four magistrates’ courts as Special Magistrates’ Courts to deal with cases involving the possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with both municipal and international dimensions.
The designation was announced in a Gazette Notice dated January 15, 2026, with Koome citing the Constitution of Kenya and Section 5(2)(c) of the Judicial Service Act.
The courts given the special status were the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Magistrates’ Court, Kahawa Magistrates’ Court, Mombasa Magistrates’ Court and Busia Magistrates’ Court.
The establishment of the four new stations now adds Kegonga, Emuhaya, Maara and Tarakwa to the Judiciary’s network of magistrates’ courts, with each operating under the supervision of its designated High Court.