Judiciary to Make Individual Judge Performance Data Public From July

The Judicial Service Commission has confirmed it will begin the public release of individual performance data for all judicial officers starting July 1. This decision represents a significant shift in how the Kenyan legal system handles internal accountability and public reporting.

Chief Justice Martha Koome, speaking during the announcement, stated that the new framework is designed to provide a structured and transparent method for evaluating the bench. The policy aims to address long-standing concerns regarding the efficiency of the courts and the speed at which cases are resolved across the country.

According to the Commission, the move is intended to bolster public confidence in the courts by making the work of individual judges more visible to the citizens who fund and rely on judicial services. The reporting will focus on productivity while maintaining a balance that does not interfere with the independence of the officers or the integrity of the institution.

This initiative follows a period of expansion within the Judiciary, which included the appointment of 52 new judges earlier this year. With more personnel on the bench, there is increasing pressure on the institution to demonstrate that this growth is translating into faster case determinations and a reduction in the current backlog.

Current performance benchmarks within the system suggest that no trial should exceed three years, while appeals are expected to be concluded within a single year. The publication of individual data will allow the public to see how closely various court stations and specific officers are adhering to these internal timelines.

The Judicial Service Commission noted that the evaluation process has been supported by the automation of data collection. By digitizing court records and tracking cases electronically, the Judiciary claims it can now provide more accurate and reliable statistics on the output of its officers.

Previous reports from the 2022/2023 financial year indicated a general rise in average performance scores across various directorates. The Judiciary’s overall performance rating reportedly improved from 93.71 percent to 97.26 percent during that period, though individual breakdowns remained internal until this latest policy change.

Justice Koome emphasized that performance measurement is a critical mechanism for ensuring that the Judiciary remains responsive to the needs of Kenyans. The July 1 rollout is expected to include a standardized reporting format that tracks how many cases an officer hears and determines within the specified periods.

Legal observers noted that while the Judiciary is a constitutionally independent arm of government, it still carries an obligation to remain transparent. The Commission remains satisfied that the move will reinforce public trust without compromising the sound judgment or fairness required of the legal profession.