Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has urged newly appointed magistrates to uphold integrity, accountability and the Constitution as they begin their judicial careers.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of an induction training on Friday, March 13, for newly recruited Resident Magistrates who will also serve as Small Claims Court adjudicators, the Deputy Chief Justice reminded the officers that judicial authority is a public trust bestowed upon them by Kenyans.
Mwilu emphasised that taking the oath of office goes beyond securing employment in the Judiciary, noting that magistrates carry the responsibility of exercising authority on behalf of the people and in line with the Constitution.
“The judicial authority that has been conferred upon you by the people of Kenya is both a solemn honour and a profound responsibility,” Mwilu said
She told the new judicial officers that their decisions will directly affect the lives of citizens and must therefore reflect fairness, professionalism and strict adherence to the law.
Mwilu further stressed that the Judiciary derives its legitimacy from the Constitution and the sovereign will of the Kenyan people, urging the magistrates to safeguard public confidence in the justice system.
The induction programme forms part of the Judiciary’s efforts to prepare newly appointed magistrates for their roles, particularly in the Small Claims Courts, which were established to help resolve commercial disputes quickly and improve access to justice.
Judiciary of Kenya has in recent years expanded Small Claims Courts across the country to handle disputes involving smaller monetary claims, a move aimed at reducing case backlogs and speeding up the resolution of business-related conflicts.
Mwilu, who has served as Kenya’s Deputy Chief Justice since 2016, said the new magistrates must always remember that their authority is rooted in the Constitution and entrusted to them by the people they serve.