Why Kenyan Suspects Arrested on Fridays May Soon Avoid Weekend Detention

Kenya’s judiciary will pilot Saturday court sessions at Kibera Law Courts to handle minor cases and reduce weekend detentions, Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced.

Speaking at the Judiciary Dialogue Day held at Kibera on 31 January, Koome said the pilot programme would allow magistrates to sit on Saturdays to hear selected matters, with a focus on petty offences. The initiative is intended to limit the number of suspects held in custody from Friday to Monday due to the absence of court sittings.

Koome said the judiciary is also considering the use of virtual hearings to process bail and bond applications over the weekend. She noted that online systems for issuing cash bail and bonds could be introduced to ensure suspects arrested on weekends are not unnecessarily detained. According to the Chief Justice, these measures would improve access to justice and reduce pressure on remand facilities.

The pilot will begin at Kibera Law Courts and may be extended to other courts if it proves effective. Koome said the judiciary is reviewing existing practices to address case backlogs and delays, particularly in high-volume urban courts.

The announcement follows public concern over the routine detention of individuals arrested late on Fridays, many of whom face minor charges and are unable to appear before a court until the following week. Critics have argued that the practice contributes to overcrowding in holding cells and increases the risk of abuse and corruption.

Kibra MP Peter Orero welcomed the proposal, saying limited Saturday sittings could help prevent unnecessary detentions. He suggested that even half-day sessions would reduce the practice of holding suspects until Monday without a court appearance.

The Judiciary Dialogue Day is an annual forum that brings together judicial officers, lawyers and members of the public to discuss challenges within the justice system. Issues raised during the forum include case delays, corruption and inefficiencies in service delivery, with recommendations used to inform judicial reforms.

Kenyan courts traditionally operate from Monday to Friday, leaving no formal mechanism to process cases or bail applications over the weekend. The judiciary said the Saturday sittings pilot would test whether more flexible court schedules could improve efficiency and public confidence.