Kenya’s courts may slow down during their scheduled breaks, but they never truly sleep. Every April, August and December, the Judiciary steps into what is commonly known as the “court vacation” a quieter stretch in the legal calendar designed to ease pressure on judges and staff. Yet, behind the calmer corridors, a lean but vigilant system keeps the wheels of justice turning.
Far from a shutdown, the recess is a controlled slowdown. Routine hearings, lengthy trials and non-urgent mentions are put on pause, giving judicial officers time to write judgments, review files and manage their dockets. But for anyone facing a life-altering legal emergency, the doors remain open.
During each recess, the Chief Justice appoints a roster of “vacation judges,” sometimes called duty judges, who stand by to hear matters that cannot be pushed to a later date. Whether it’s a plea for bail, a habeas corpus application, an injunction to stop an eviction, or a human-rights petition requiring immediate relief these judges ensure no situation spirals simply because the calendar says “break.”
The court registries also operate in a trimmed-down format. Litigants can still file documents, pay court fees, or seek administrative support. Registry officers sift through incoming applications and identify which matters deserve urgent attention and which ones can be heard once normal sittings resume.
Even as vacations unfold, constitutional timelines in criminal matters remain sacred. Suspects continue to be presented to court within the required periods, and duty courts handle such cases throughout the recess, particularly in busy stations.
This season also works to the advantage of lawyers. With fewer court appearances and less day-to-day pressure, many use the break to refine arguments, prepare filings or negotiate settlements ahead of the next term.
By mid-January 2026, the December recess winds down, and courts across the country return to full operation. Hearings pick up from where they paused, new dates are issued, and the judicial engine roars back to full speed.
The pace might mellow, but justice never goes offline.
