NAIROBI, Kenya – The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has opened applications for five Kadhi positions in a fresh recruitment drive aimed at bolstering the capacity of the Kadhis’ Courts and improving access to justice for Muslim communities.
In a public notice, the Commission said the appointments are part of its constitutional mandate to ensure judicial independence, enhance accountability, and promote the effective delivery of justice.
The announcement comes after months of stalled appointments blamed on budgetary constraints, which have left courts across the country grappling with staff shortages.
Kadhis’ Courts—enshrined under Article 170 of the Constitution—adjudicate matters of personal law relating to Muslims, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and personal status, but only when all parties involved are Muslim and voluntarily submit to the court’s jurisdiction.
Currently, Kenya has 14 stand-alone Kadhis’ Courts, with others operating within magistrates’ courts.
The five Kadhi positions are part of a broader recruitment campaign targeting 150 new hires across various levels of the Judiciary.
These include 15 judges for the Court of Appeal, 20 for the High Court, and 10 for the Environment and Land Court.
The JSC is also seeking 60 Resident Magistrates and 40 adjudicators for the Small Claims Court.
“The Commission invites applications from qualified persons to fill the above positions,” the JSC said in the notice, directing interested applicants to its website at https://jsc.go.ke/jobs-2 for detailed job descriptions and eligibility criteria.
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on or before June 30, 2025.
The JSC emphasised that the selection process will be fair and competitive, adding that canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
It also warned applicants against falling victim to fraudsters, stressing that all recruitment services are free and no payments should be made to individuals or agencies.
“All inquiries should be directed to the JSC Secretary through official contacts or the Commission’s offices at CBK Pension Towers, Harambee Avenue,” the notice added.
The new appointments are expected to address pressing staffing gaps in the judiciary and help speed up the resolution of cases, especially in courts handling sensitive matters under Islamic law.
