Kenya’s Supreme Court will pause regular operations for its annual December recess, Chief Justice Martha Koome announced, ensuring a break for judges amid a demanding year of high-stakes rulings.
Recess schedule and legal basis
The recess begins Sunday, 21 December 2025, and runs through Tuesday, 13 January 2026, according to a gazette notice dated 21 November. It aligns with constitutional provisions under Article 163(1)(a), along with sections 6A and 29D of the Supreme Court Act of 2011 and Rules 4, 5 and 7 of the Supreme Court Rules from 2020.
Continued essential services
Koome emphasized that the break won’t halt essential services. A duty judge will remain available to address urgent cases, such as time-sensitive appeals or applications that can’t wait. The court’s registry will stay open to the public from 8.30am to 5pm on weekdays, excluding public holidays, allowing filings and access to records to continue uninterrupted.
Updates to previous notices
The announcement revokes an earlier Gazette Notice No. 15209 from 2025, updated via a communication on 22 October 2025. Judiciary officials did not immediately provide details on the changes, but the move appears to refine scheduling amid ongoing administrative adjustments.
A year of significant rulings
This recess follows a busy period for the Supreme Court, which has handled significant cases in 2025, including financial disputes like Standard Chartered Financial Services Limited v Manchester Outfitters (Suiting Division) Limited Now Called King Woolen Mills Limited & 2 others, constitutional matters such as Aluochier v Senate & 2 others, and anti-corruption petitions like Wafula v Director of Public Prosecutions with Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission & 2 others as interested parties. Earlier this year, the court also navigated appeals on children law in FAAF v RFM & 2 others and delivered judgment in a landmark case on election-related sexual violence, reflecting broader national debates on governance, rights, accountability and justice.
New court in Baringo County
In a separate development, Koome on 13 November gazetted the establishment of the Chepkemel Magistrate’s Court in Baringo County, set to open 1 December under the Kericho High Court’s oversight. The new facility aims to alleviate caseloads at nearby courts and boost access to justice for rural communities in Chepkemel and surrounding areas, where residents often travel long distances for hearings.
“The Judiciary remains committed to expanding services and enhancing efficiency in the administration of justice across the country,” Koome said in the notice.
Role of judicial recesses
Judicial recesses in Kenya, like this one, provide judges with dedicated time to rest after months of intense workloads, finalize pending judgments and tackle administrative tasks. While routine hearings pause, the system doesn’t fully shut down — a safeguard rooted in the need for continuous public access to courts.
Similar to August break
This December break echoes the court’s earlier August recess from 1 August to 15 September 2025, which allowed focus on legal research and opinion-writing away from daily proceedings. Judiciary watchers say such intervals are crucial for maintaining judicial efficiency in a system handling everything from election disputes to human rights challenges.
Reforms under Chief Justice Koome
Koome, appointed in 2021 as Kenya’s first female chief justice, has prioritized reforms to modernize the judiciary, including anti-corruption measures and digital upgrades. The new magistrate’s court is part of broader expansions, with 208 magistrates appointed in October 2025 to tackle backlogs in specialized areas like economic crimes, with six specifically designated for anti-corruption and economic crimes cases.
Balancing rest and service
As Kenya grapples with economic pressures and calls for accountability, the Supreme Court’s recess underscores the balance between judicial rest and public service. Officials expect a smooth transition, with the court resuming full operations in mid-January to address a likely backlog of petitions.
