Chief Justice Martha Koome has reaffirmed that wellness is central to the Judiciary’s ability to effectively serve Kenyans.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the Judiciary Sports Day, held under the theme “Fitness for Justice: Balancing Wellness, Integrity and Service,” Justice Koome said the Judiciary cannot function without its most vital resource — its people.

“Our people are our greatest asset. Their wellness is not a luxury; it is a constitutional and institutional necessity,” she said.

The Chief Justice noted that under the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint, the Judiciary is committed to building an inspired team of judges, judicialv officers, and staff dedicated to excellence in service delivery.

She stressed that this requires ensuring judicial staff are healthy, motivated, and inspired.

 “Buildings, systems, budgets, and technology are important, but they are ineffective without Judges, Judicial Officers, and staff. That’s why employee wellness is a strategic priority for the Judiciary,” she said.

Justice Koome added that wellness directly influences performance, pointing out that physical fitness supports mental sharpness and emotional resilience.

 “A team that is physically strong is also mentally alert. A team that has opportunities for recreation is less prone to stress, burnout, and fatigue. This leads to higher morale, sharper focus, and greater creativity in the delivery of justice,” she observed.

She also urged Judiciary staff to embrace peer-to-peer accountability in wellness, saying it should be part of institutional culture rather than an occasional activity.

Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya said this year’s Sports Day had been expanded to include culture and talent, promoting work-life balance and showcasing staff capabilities beyond the courtroom.

“I am confident that after this exercise, we shall see deeper understanding, comity and collaboration across our teams within and across different stations and offices — and above all, that this will translate into improved service delivery to our clients,” Ms Mokaya said.