Judiciary gets Sh30.38 billion in 2026/27 budget, up from Sh27.8 billion
The Judiciary's allocation represents an increase of Sh2.58 billion from last year's budget and reflects continued government investment in the justice.
President William Ruto being welcomed by Chief Justice Martha Koome during the opening of Supreme Court @12 Conference at Supreme Court, Nairobi on November 4, 2024. (Photo: PCS)
The Judiciary has been allocated Sh30.38 billion in the 2026/27 financial year budget, marking an increase from the Sh27.8 billion it received in the previous fiscal year, as the government moves to strengthen the administration of justice amid growing case backlogs and operational demands.
The Judiciary's allocation represents an increase of Sh2.58 billion from last year's budget and reflects continued government investment in the justice sector. However, the funding falls significantly short of the institution's stated needs, leaving a substantial financing gap that could affect the implementation of key reforms and service delivery programmes.
According to budget documents, the Judiciary had sought Sh46 billion to fully implement its commitments under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint. The approved allocation, therefore, leaves a shortfall of about Sh15.62 billion.
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The additional funding is expected to support court operations, improve access to justice and enhance efficiency in handling cases across the country, particularly in urban centres such as Nairobi, where courts continue to grapple with high caseloads.
In presenting the budget, Mbadi said the allocation would support the administration of justice and strengthen service delivery within the justice sector.
"This funding will enable the administration of justice and support the continued functioning of the Judiciary," Mbadi said.
Separately, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which is responsible for the recruitment, discipline and welfare of judicial officers, has sought an independent allocation of Sh1.783 billion from Parliament to enable it to execute its constitutional mandate effectively.
The Judiciary's increased allocation continues a trend witnessed in the previous financial year when funding rose from Sh24.7 billion to Sh27.8 billion, a Sh3.1 billion increase aimed at strengthening court operations and expanding access to justice.
Other institutions within the justice and accountability sector also received allocations in the new budget. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) was allocated Sh7billion and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Sh5.1 billion.