CJ Koome Designates Special Courts At Customs Entry Points
Drug lords who previously used court delays to avoid justice now face a faster, harsher legal system in Kenya.
This comes after Chief Justice Martha Koome designated four Magistrates’ Courts as Special Courts to tackle narcotics trafficking and related crimes around the country.
All drug-related cases will henceforth be heard by the JKIA Magistrates Court, Kahawa Magistrates Court, Mombasa Magistrates Court, and Busia Magistrates Court.
This followed President William Ruto’s instruction that drug trafficking should result in a capital sentence, thereby terminating what he dubbed “lenient” legislation that fined traffickers only Ksh1 million.
The speciality courts will focus on collecting traffickers’ properties to support rehabilitation centres, rather than simply arresting them, in order to break up entire criminal networks.
Gazette Notice: The Chief Justice designates selected Magistrates’ Courts as Special Magistrates’ Courts for narcotics and psychotropic substances cases with municipal and international reach. pic.twitter.com/APM72Ky6tz
— Zakheem Rajan, HSC, MPRSK (@zakheem_rajan) January 17, 2026
The move comes after Kenyan officials intercepted more than 3.2 tons of drugs between 2024 and 2025, according to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
During Operation Bahari Safi in October 2025, the Kenya Navy captured Ksh8.2 billion in methamphetamine from a stateless vessel 630 kilometers off the coast of Mombasa.
Six Iranian nationals caught in that incident pled guilty at Shanzu Law Courts in January 2026, marking a significant victory against international trafficking networks.
Multiple arrests at JKIA have shown sophisticated smuggling methods, including one in November 2025, where a woman consumed 28 cocaine pellets worth Sh3.65 million.
On January 7, 2026, during a wedding ceremony in Kimumu, Uasin Gishu County, President William Ruto declared harsher penalties for individuals found guilty.
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“It will not be business as usual for individuals dealing in illicit brews and hard drugs like cocaine and heroin,” warned President William Ruto.
“Those found selling illicit brews will have their vehicles and properties seized.”
The gazette notice further stated that the courts became operational as of January 16, 2026, through an approval by Chief Justice Koome on January 15.
Mombasa and Busia courts will target maritime and land border trafficking, while JKIA and Kahawa courts will handle airport and transit-related narcotics cases.
CJ Koome Designates Special Courts At Customs Entry Points
