Judiciary calls for budget increase, says Sh20 billion deficit crippling functions
Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya revealed that the Judiciary received Sh22.42 billion in the 2023/2024 financial year against a required Sh43.17 billion, leaving a funding gap that she described as devastating.
The Judiciary has asked Parliament to increase its budget to at least 3 per cent of the national budget, pointing to a crippling 48 per cent deficit that it says continues to undermine the delivery of justice across the country.
Appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on Thursday, Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya revealed that the Judiciary received Sh22.42 billion in the 2023/2024 financial year against a required Sh43.17 billion, leaving a funding gap that she described as devastating.
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“The Judiciary received only Sh22.42 billion against our required Sh43.17 billion, resulting in a devastating 48 percent deficit,” Mokaya told the committee chaired by Bomet Senator Wakili Hilary Sigei.
She appealed to the Senate to increase the Judiciary’s allocation to 3 per cent of the national budget, saying this would help bridge the gap and strengthen justice services.
Despite the financial strain, Mokaya said the Judiciary had made major progress during the year.
“We have successfully expanded the High Court’s presence to 46 of 47 counties and resolved 509,664 cases, achieving a remarkable 99 per cent case clearance rate,” she told the committee.
She also highlighted the Judiciary’s achievement in promoting gender balance, saying the institution had attained gender parity within its workforce.
Senator Veronica Maina welcomed the milestone, calling it “a significant step and a reflection of our commitment to inclusivity and equity in the justice sector.”
However, some lawmakers responded to the funding request with sharp criticism. Senator Okiya Omtatah demanded that the Judiciary first demonstrate prudent use of the money it has already received.
“The Chief Registrar must show financial prudence on what has already been disbursed, seal all avenues of wastage, and stop corruption within the Judiciary before asking for more money. Kenyan taxpayers deserve accountability,” he said.
Senator Sigei raised concerns about the Judiciary’s handling of cases involving children and women in several counties, particularly Homabay, Bomet and Narok.
He asked what the Judiciary was doing to address high rates of defilement, early pregnancies, child marriages, gender-based violence, and female genital mutilation in those areas.
“The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics paints a very bad picture of the situation in these counties. What is the Judiciary doing to protect our children and women?” he asked.
Mokaya’s appearance before the committee was part of the presentation of the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Report for the 2023/2024 fiscal year. The session revealed both the operational achievements and funding challenges facing the Judiciary, as senators demanded stronger accountability even as calls for increased support continued.
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