Achievements

Representing advocates where it matters

From branch office to the Judicial Service Commission — a record of showing up for the profession and for the public it serves.

Judicial Service Commission (JSC)

On 10 March 2022, members of the Law Society of Kenya elected me to represent them at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Serving members has been the greatest honour of my professional life, and I remain grateful for your trust.

I sought your mandate on the ACT Agenda: Advance meaningful representation, Champion judicial independence and accountability, and Transform service delivery.

Five years later, I have fulfilled and substantially advanced my commitments through sustained advocacy, leadership and active participation in key JSC reforms and decisions.

In 2024, I was appointed the Chairperson of JSC’s Committee on Administration of Justice, marking a historic milestone as the first LSK representative to hold this position. This responsibility has provided a further opportunity to champion reforms aimed at strengthening the administration of justice.

I hereby present the progress made, commitments fulfilled and the reforms still being pursued. It reflects my contribution to the collective decisions, achievements and ongoing work of the JSC, while reaffirming my commitment to a transparent, responsive and results-oriented representation.

Jacqueline Ingutiah addressing a Judiciary event from the podium

The ACT Agenda: promised and delivered

Advance meaningful representation
Champion judicial independence and accountability
Transform service delivery

444LSK members appointed to the Judiciary
KSh 150Mpro bono scheme funding in FY 2025/26, up from KSh 63.6M
67new courts, benches and stations
28tribunals transitioned to the Judiciary
27%increase in the Judiciary budget

Advance meaningful representation

Promise 2022

Strengthen JSC structure and communication capacity for transparent service delivery to members.
Enhanced information sharing and feedback to respond to members' needs.
Promote equitable opportunities for all members.

Delivered 2022–2026

Accessible and responsive leadership

Strengthened LSK–JSC engagement through Bar–Bench meetings, court visits, conferences, AGMs and prompt responses to members' concerns, giving advocates a stronger voice in the JSC and facilitating timely resolution of issues affecting professional practice.

Transparency and accountability to members

Pioneered annual accountability reports (2023–2025), enhancing transparency and keeping members informed of JSC decisions and performance.

Annual accountability reports to members

Expanded career opportunities for members in the Judiciary

Promoted competitive recruitment and diverse professional representation that saw 444 members appointed to the Judiciary, drawn from academia, in-house legal practice, public service and private practice.
Supported increased funding for the pro bono scheme from KSh 63.6 million in FY 2023/24 to KSh 150 million in FY 2025/26, and facilitated its smooth transition from the Judiciary to NLAS.

444LSK members appointed to the Judiciary

Court of Appeal Judges6 of 22
High Court Judges35 of 64
ELC Judges6 of 13
Resident Magistrates143 of 170
Senior Legal Researchers20 of 35
Law ClerksAll 5

140Legal Researchers
89Tribunal Members

Pro bono scheme funding+136%

FY 2023/24KSh 63.6M
FY 2025/26KSh 150M

Enhanced JSC communication and visibility

Establishment of a Public Affairs and Communication Unit, creating greater visibility, accessibility and public understanding of the JSC.

Champion judicial independence and accountability

Promise 2022

Monitor implementation of existing policies, including the code of conduct.
Improve JSC governance and create a firewall between the JSC and the Judiciary.
Review complaints management for fairness, accountability and transparency.

Delivered 2022–2026

Championed the development and implementation of key integrity and accountability frameworks: the Anti-Corruption Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, Commissioners' Code of Conduct, draft regulations on the process for removal of judges, and review of the performance management framework.
Engagement with the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS) to strengthen corporate governance across constitutional commissions.
Established the Directorate of Complaints & Investigations and an online complaints system.
Set up the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit.
Sustained engagement with Parliament, with the Judiciary budget up by 27%.

Transform service delivery

Challenges to address (2022)

Delays in justice.
Uneven distribution of courts and services.
Weak coordination across the justice sector.

Delivered 2022–2026

Technology and access

Promoted nationwide e-filing and approval of key ICT policies, including the AI Policy and Transcription Policy.
Supported the development of end-to-end automation at the Small Claims Court and the Mahakama Popote initiative.

Courts closer to the people

Supported the expansion of courts across the country: 3 new Court of Appeal benches, 7 High Court stations, 10 ELC stations, 16 magistrates' courts and 31 Small Claims courts.
Supported the transition of 28 tribunals to the Judiciary and the setting up of the Tribunals Appeals Division and Tribunals shared services in Nairobi, Kisumu and Nyeri.
Approved the Judiciary Infrastructure Master Plan to promote evidence-based, equitable, effective and properly funded infrastructure planning.

67new courts, benches and stations across the country

3Court of Appeal benches
7High Court stations
10ELC stations
16Magistrates' courts
31Small Claims courts

People and coordination

Strengthened JSC–Judiciary engagement, enabling early identification of operational challenges and more informed, responsive interventions to improve justice delivery.
Adopted a cyclical recruitment and promotion calendar.
Approved a Pupillage Policy (opens in a new tab) with stipends.
Approved the Judiciary Training and Development Policy (opens in a new tab) to promote continuous learning and development and ensure continuity of court services.
Supported staff wellness, protection and inclusion programmes.
Engagement with access-to-justice sector actors to advocate for better sector coordination.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Leadership

Jacqueline Ingutiah greeting a young advocate at an outdoor event in Bomet — Engagement with advocates in Bomet

LSK Female Representative to JSC (Current)
Member, East Africa Law Society Business and Human Rights Committee (2024)
Vice-Chairperson, LSK West Kenya Branch (2020)
Alternate Member, KNCHR to NCAJ (2022)
Member, LSK Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (2011)
Secretary, LSK Kisumu Chapter (2008)
LSK CPD Facilitator (Ongoing)
Bar–Bench engagement across the country (Ongoing)

Mentorship

Trial Advocacy Training

Sponsors young advocates every year to build courtroom skills.

LSK CPD facilitator

Facilitator on Continuing Professional Development programmes for advocates.

Young Advocates Mentorship Programme

Speaker at the Chief Justice's Young Advocates Mentorship Programme.

Student mentorship

Continuous mentorship of high school and university students, including career guidance.

The journey continues

Our collective efforts have laid a strong foundation, but important reforms remain unfinished from strengthening accountability, communication and professional opportunities for advocates to improving court infrastructure, funding, technology and justice delivery.

The progress made is not an end in itself, but a foundation for greater transformation. The journey continues because justice reform is not a one-time achievement, but an ongoing responsibility. As I continue to serve as your representative, I remain committed to advancing these reforms, championing the interests of the legal profession and contributing to a more efficient, accountable and accessible justice system for all.