25 New Magistrates Sworn In To Tackle Case Backlog

Chief Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti Guwuriro has said the ongoing recruitment of magistrates is part of the judiciary’s drive to strengthen the country’s courts, improve access to justice and tackle the rising number of cases awaiting trial.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for 25 newly appointed magistrates on Monday, Muchuchuti Guwuriro said the appointments would enhance the capacity of courts across the country and help reduce the current case backlog.

Of the 25 magistrates, 15 are men and 10 are women.

Muchuchuti Guwuriro said the newly sworn-in magistrates would be deployed to stations in need of additional judicial officers, enabling courts to process cases more efficiently and improve the delivery of justice.

“Over the months we have been swearing in magistrates, this is due to the various forms of attrition that come with operations,” she said.

“We have magistrates who are resigning for several reasons, we have magistrates who are getting promoted, we have the decentralisation of courts, which also brings the need for more magistrates to the bench.”

Muchuchuti Guwuriro said the need to strengthen the bench has prompted the Judicial Service Commission to continue recruiting magistrates so that all stations are adequately staffed.

She added that the Judicial Service Commission is in the process of establishing mobile courts to serve urban areas.

More: The Herald

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