Small claims courts pump Sh21 billion back into Kenya’s economy since 2021
Established to ease the Judiciary’s backlog, the courts handle cases valued at less than Sh1 million, including sale and supply contracts, debt recovery, personal injury claims and other minor civil disputes.
At least Sh21 billion has been channelled back into Kenya’s economy through the small claims courts (SCC) since their establishment in 2021, Chief Justice Martha Koome has said.
Koome noted that 158,357 cases were filed in the last financial year, a sharp rise from 41,524 the previous year, with 155,227 of them resolved. She added that about 79 per cent of all matters involved debt recovery, underscoring the courts’ role in supporting Kenya’s commercial sector.
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Milimani Small Claims Court remains the busiest, handling 120,914 cases — 76 per cent of all filings — followed by Eldoret with 5,394 and Nakuru with 3,665.
“By offering simple, affordable, and expeditious mechanisms for resolving everyday disputes, the SCC represents a profound shift toward people-centred justice,” she said during the third annual SCC symposium.
Ease Judiciary’s backlog
Established to ease the Judiciary’s backlog, the courts handle cases valued at less than Sh1 million, including sale and supply contracts, debt recovery, personal injury claims and other minor civil disputes.
Cases are expected to be concluded within 60 days of filing, with daily hearings until determination. Parties can represent themselves, as the process does not require strict technical procedures.
To further strengthen the system, Koome appointed a committee led by High Court Judge Anthony Mrima to recommend amendments to the SCC Act and Rules. The team will clarify jurisdiction, address conflicting interpretations, and harmonise contradictions in the legal framework.
“For decades, many Kenyans were effectively locked out of the justice system because pursuing claims was prohibitively expensive and procedurally intimidating. The SCC was created to bridge this access gap,” she said.
Koome added that the committee will also develop Small Claims Appeal Rules to simplify High Court appeals and create a standard judgment template for “on-the-spot” delivery, borrowing from successful Zambian models.
“These numbers tell a powerful story. Behind every case resolved lies a trader who recovered payment, a farmer who enforced a small contract, or a micro-entrepreneur protected from exploitation,” she said.
“In every instance, the SCC has demonstrated that justice can be delivered expeditiously, affordably and fairly.”
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