CRJ Mokaya leads Judiciary in marking first-ever Judicial Well-Being Day

Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Winfridah Mokaya, led judicial officers and staff at the Supreme Court in commemorating the first-ever Judicial Well-Being Day, following its official declaration by the UN General Assembly on March 4, 2025. The day, themed “Judicial Well-Being and Its Impact on Community Well-Being,” is dedicated to promoting the physical, mental, emotional, and institutional well-being of judges, judicial officers, and staff. CRJ Mokaya emphasized that the Judiciary draws its strength from the mental, emotional, and physical capacity of its workforce. “If we are to enhance the quality of justice and service to the public, we must invest in the well-being of the very people who uphold the justice system,” she said. She noted that judicial stress is a growing global concern—one that Kenyan judicial officers are not immune to—due to the emotionally taxing nature of their work. “Every day, judges, judicial officers, and staff confront some of the most distressing realities in our society—murder, defilement, domestic violence, and other horrifying crimes,” CRJ Mokaya said. “In recent memory, we have the example of the Shakahola cases, which shocked our national conscience. For those within the justice system handling these criminal matters, the emotional toll has been significant.” Also speaking at the event, Dr. Nekesa Kalei, Director of Human Resource Management, Development and Administration at the Judiciary, underscored that employee wellness is a cornerstone of effective justice delivery. She highlighted that wellness encompasses the mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being of the Judiciary’s workforce and includes fostering supportive work environments, promoting stress management, ensuring work-life balance, providing access to psychosocial support, and upholding fair labour practices.

Elsewhere, courts across the country engaged in various well-being activities to mark the inaugural Judicial Well-Being Day themed “Judicial Well-Being and Its Impact on Community Well-Being”. Judicial well-being is essential to maintaining the independence, integrity, and effectiveness of justice systems. It extends beyond individual wellness—it influences the health and stability of entire communities. Under the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) framework, Judiciary continues to prioritize wellness and support initiatives for all members of the Judiciary.