Drug lords who once exploited court delays to escape justice now face a faster, harsher legal system in Kenya.
This is after Chief Justice Martha Koome designated four Magistrates' Courts as Special Courts to exclusively handle narcotics trafficking and related offences across the country.
The JKIA Magistrates' Court, Kahawa Magistrates' Court, Mombasa Magistrates' Court and Busia Magistrates' Court will now hear all drug-related cases.
This follows President William Ruto's directive that drug trafficking should attract capital punishment, ending what he called "lenient" laws that fined traffickers just Ksh1 million.
The specialised courts will focus on seizing traffickers' properties to fund rehabilitation centres, moving beyond mere arrests to dismantle entire criminal networks.
The move comes after Kenyan authorities intercepted over 3.2 tonnes of narcotics between 2024 and 2025, according to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In October 2025, the Kenya Navy seized methamphetamine worth Ksh8.2 billion from a stateless vessel 630 kilometers off Mombasa's coast during Operation Bahari Safi.
Six Iranian nationals arrested in that bust pleaded guilty at Shanzu Law Courts in January 2026, marking a major win against international trafficking networks.
At JKIA, multiple arrests have exposed sophisticated smuggling methods, including a woman who ingested 28 cocaine pellets worth Sh3.65 million in November 2025.
President William Ruto, on January 7, 2026, during a wedding ceremony in Kimumu, Uasin Gishu County, announced tougher measures against those found guilty.
“It will not be business as usual for individuals dealing in illicit brews and hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. Those found selling illicit brews will have their vehicles and properties seized,” warned President William Ruto.
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.
