Wajir County has entered a new chapter in its judicial history following the official inauguration and operationalisation of its first-ever High Court, a milestone that residents and leaders alike have described as transformative, long overdue and deeply symbolic for a region that has for decades grappled with marginalisation and limited access to critical state institutions. For the first time since the advent of devolution and indeed since independence, Wajir will host a branch of the High Court of Kenya, bringing superior judicial services closer to thousands of residents who previously had to undertake long and costly journeys to Garissa and other towns in pursuit of justice.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Wajir town, drew members of the Judiciary, legal practitioners, representatives of constitutional commissions, local leaders and residents who turned up in large numbers to witness what many termed a “historic correction” in the distribution of national institutions. The atmosphere was marked by optimism and pride, as speakers underscored the significance of establishing a High Court in a county that had long remained the only one in Kenya without such a facility.
Presiding over the ceremony, Justice John Onyiego, the resident judge of the High Court of Kenya in Garissa, described the development as a new birth for Wajir and a practical step towards strengthening the rule of law in northern Kenya. He noted that for years, litigants from Wajir were compelled to travel to Garissa to file appeals, constitutional petitions, criminal appeals and other High Court matters, often incurring heavy transport and accommodation expenses that placed justice out of reach for many families. The establishment of the court in Wajir, he said, would significantly ease this burden and ensure that justice is not determined by one’s financial ability to travel long distances.
Justice Onyiego emphasised that the court is not merely a building but an institution that carries constitutional authority and responsibility. He urged residents to take full advantage of the new facility, particularly in matters of appeal, while also encouraging alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to reduce unnecessary litigation. He further revealed that through the efforts of Chief Justice Martha Koome, the Judiciary has ongoing plans to expand court infrastructure in other parts of the region, including Eldas, Habaswein and Wajir West, though he acknowledged that limited funding remains a challenge in fast-tracking infrastructure development and staffing.
The newly established station will also host an Environment and Land Court, a critical addition in a region where land ownership, urban expansion and community land questions have increasingly become sources of dispute. For years, unresolved land cases have dragged on in distant courts, contributing to frustration, uncertainty and at times tension within communities. With the Environment and Land Court now accessible locally, stakeholders expect faster resolution of disputes and improved transparency in land adjudication processes.
Senior Counsel Hashim Elmoge described the inauguration as a dream come true for the legal fraternity and the people of Wajir. He noted that advocates in the region have long pushed for the creation of a High Court, arguing that access to justice is a constitutional right that should not be hindered by geography. According to him, the operationalisation of the court signals a new dispensation in which residents will no longer endure the strain of travelling hundreds of kilometres for hearings, mentions and rulings. He expressed optimism that the presence of the court would help reduce case backlogs, expedite complex constitutional matters and enhance public confidence in the Judiciary.
Representatives from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights also welcomed the development, pointing to longstanding human rights and land-related cases that have taken years to conclude due to logistical constraints.
They cited examples of disputes filed more than a decade ago that were only recently resolved, underscoring the heavy toll that delayed justice can have on families and communities. With a High Court now stationed in Wajir, they said, vulnerable populations will find it easier to pursue redress and assert their constitutional rights.
For ordinary residents, the moment carried emotional weight. Many described the inauguration as recognition that Wajir is an integral part of the national justice system. In conversations around the ceremony grounds, wananchi spoke of past experiences in which they had to raise funds collectively to send representatives to Garissa for court matters, sometimes postponing cases due to lack of fare. Others recalled missing hearings because of transport challenges or security concerns along the highway. The High Court’s presence in Wajir is therefore expected not only to reduce costs but also to enhance attendance, compliance and overall efficiency in the administration of justice.
Beyond legal convenience, observers note that the establishment of the High Court aligns with the Judiciary’s broader decentralisation agenda aimed at bringing services closer to the people. Since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, there has been sustained effort to expand court stations across the country, particularly in historically marginalised areas. Wajir’s inclusion in this expansion is viewed as a step toward correcting structural inequalities that have limited
access to state services in northern Kenya.
The court’s operationalisation may also have indirect economic and social benefits. The presence of judges, judicial staff, advocates and litigants is expected to stimulate local business activity, from accommodation and transport to food services. At the same time, quicker resolution of commercial and land disputes could create a more predictable legal environment for investors and entrepreneurs within the county.
Stakeholders have, however, cautioned that infrastructure alone will not guarantee efficient service delivery. Adequate staffing, proper facilities, reliable funding and strong collaboration between national and county authorities will be essential to ensure that the High Court meets public expectations. Calls have already been made for additional courtrooms, modern record management systems and continuous civic education to inform residents about the scope and functions of the High Court and the Environment and Land Court.
As operations commence, the mood in Wajir remains one of cautious optimism. For many, the inauguration symbolises more than judicial expansion; it represents inclusion, dignity and the affirmation that justice should not be a distant promise but an accessible reality. The High Court now standing in Wajir town serves as a tangible reminder that constitutional guarantees must be matched with institutional presence on the ground.
In a county where distance once defined the limits of justice, the opening of the High Court redraws that map. It shortens the journey between grievance and redress, between petition and ruling, and between citizen and state.
As the doors of the new court open to the public, Wajir steps into a new judicial era one that residents hope will strengthen the rule of law, deepen public trust and contribute to long-term stability and development in the region.