The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has projected a Sh20.35 billion funding gap in its proposed Sh30.41 billion budget for the 2027/28 financial year, requiring an additional Sh50.76 billion to implement its priorities. The shortfall, disclosed during a public engagement at Kajiado Law Courts, highlights the judiciary’s struggle to meet operational demands, including case clearance, infrastructure upgrades, and preparations for the 2027 General Election. Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah B. Mokaya emphasized that public participation is a constitutional duty, ensuring transparency and alignment with Kenyan citizens’ justice needs. She warned that underfunding could erode access to justice and the rule of law, stressing that taxpayer contributions must be accounted for effectively. The JSC’s proposed budget prioritizes reducing case backlogs, expanding access to justice, automating judicial services, and improving court infrastructure. Kajiado Chief Magistrate Peter Gesora reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to justice access, noting plans to establish court services in Namanga, with a report on the initiative expected by early November. Presiding Judge at Kajiado Law Courts, Lady Justice Christine Meoli, confirmed efforts to ease Ngong’s case backlogs by setting up a High Court. Judiciary Director of Finance Beatrice Kamau outlined critical funding needs, including election preparedness, new court operations, and specialized judicial units, while citing challenges like inadequate infrastructure and threats to judicial independence. Kamau also highlighted emerging issues such as artificial intelligence and social media’s impact on judicial processes, alongside insufficient staff and delayed court order compliance. These factors, she argued, undermine judicial authority and public trust. The Judiciary’s 2025/26 performance review showed a 103% case clearance rate, with 561,580 cases filed and 576,162 resolved. The Court of Appeal resolved 111 cases via the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), while High Courts conducted prison decongestion, releasing 113 inmates. Magistrates’ Courts processed 7,068 succession cases, issuing 1,688 Certificates of Confirmation of Grants. The Mahakama Popote initiative, which virtually assigned cases to courts with capacity, resolved 72.2% of 31,187 referred matters. Court circuits addressed 8,288 cases, and Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM) expanded to all 47 counties, settling 59.9% of 11,630 cases. Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) registries, now 13 in total, handled 79% of 2,967 referred matters. The JSC has called for sustainable funding, budgetary reforms, and partnerships to strengthen digital governance and public accountability. The public forum, attended by stakeholders including the Law Society of Kenya and representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, underscored collaborative efforts to address systemic challenges. Meanwhile, unrelated updates included voting in the Msambweni parliamentary by-election and Kenya’s leadership in regional oil spill simulations. The JSC’s funding crisis remains a critical issue, with implications for judicial efficiency, public confidence, and the broader rule of law in Kenya.
Judicial Service Commission Warns of Sh20.35 Billion Funding Gap in 2027/28 Budget Plan
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has projected a Sh20.35 billion funding gap in its proposed Sh30.41 billion budget for the 2027/28 financial year, requiring an additional Sh50.76 billion to implement its priorities. The shortfall, disclosed during a public engagement at Kajiado Law Courts, highlights the judiciary’s struggle to meet operational demands, including case clearance, infrastructure upgrades, and preparations for the 2027 General Election. Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah B. Mokaya emphasized that public participation is a constitutional duty, ensuring transparency and alignment with Kenyan citizens’ justice needs. She warned that underfunding could erode access to justice and the rule of law, stressing that taxpayer contributions must be accounted for effectively. The JSC’s proposed budget prioritizes reducing case backlogs, expanding access to justice, automating judicial services, and improving court infrastructure. Kajiado Chief Magistrate Peter Gesora reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to justice access, noting plans to establish court services in Namanga, with a report on the initiative expected by early November. Presiding Judge at Kajiado Law Courts, Lady Justice Christine Meoli, confirmed efforts to ease Ngong’s case backlogs by setting up a High Court. Judiciary Director of Finance Beatrice Kamau outlined critical funding needs, including election preparedness, new court operations, and specialized judicial units, while citing challenges like inadequate infrastructure and threats to judicial independence. Kamau also highlighted emerging issues such as artificial intelligence and social media’s impact on judicial processes, alongside insufficient staff and delayed court order compliance. These factors, she argued, undermine judicial authority and public trust. The Judiciary’s 2025/26 performance review showed a 103% case clearance rate, with 561,580 cases filed and 576,162 resolved. The Court of Appeal resolved 111 cases via the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), while High Courts conducted prison decongestion, releasing 113 inmates. Magistrates’ Courts processed 7,068 succession cases, issuing 1,688 Certificates of Confirmation of Grants. The Mahakama Popote initiative, which virtually assigned cases to courts with capacity, resolved 72.2% of 31,187 referred matters. Court circuits addressed 8,288 cases, and Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM) expanded to all 47 counties, settling 59.9% of 11,630 cases. Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) registries, now 13 in total, handled 79% of 2,967 referred matters. The JSC has called for sustainable funding, budgetary reforms, and partnerships to strengthen digital governance and public accountability. The public forum, attended by stakeholders including the Law Society of Kenya and representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, underscored collaborative efforts to address systemic challenges. Meanwhile, unrelated updates included voting in the Msambweni parliamentary by-election and Kenya’s leadership in regional oil spill simulations. The JSC’s funding crisis remains a critical issue, with implications for judicial efficiency, public confidence, and the broader rule of law in Kenya.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has projected a Sh20.35 billion funding gap in its proposed Sh30.41 billion budget for the 2027/28 financial year, requiring an additional Sh50.76 billion to implement its priorities. The shortfall, disclosed during a public engagement at Kajiado Law Courts, highlights the judiciary’s struggle to meet operational demands, including case clearance, infrastructure upgrades, and preparations for the 2027 General Election. Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah B. Mokaya emphasized that public participation is a constitutional duty, ensuring transparency and alignment with Kenyan citizens’ justice needs. She warned that underfunding could erode access to justice and the rule of law, stressing that taxpayer contributions must be accounted for effectively. The JSC’s proposed budget prioritizes reducing case backlogs, expanding access to justice, automating judicial services, and improving court infrastructure. Kajiado Chief Magistrate Peter Gesora reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to justice access, noting plans to establish court services in Namanga, with a report on the initiative expected by early November. Presiding Judge at Kajiado Law Courts, Lady Justice Christine Meoli, confirmed efforts to ease Ngong’s case backlogs by setting up a High Court. Judiciary Director of Finance Beatrice Kamau outlined critical funding needs, including election preparedness, new court operations, and specialized judicial units, while citing challenges like inadequate infrastructure and threats to judicial independence. Kamau also highlighted emerging issues such as artificial intelligence and social media’s impact on judicial processes, alongside insufficient staff and delayed court order compliance. These factors, she argued, undermine judicial authority and public trust. The Judiciary’s 2025/26 performance review showed a 103% case clearance rate, with 561,580 cases filed and 576,162 resolved. The Court of Appeal resolved 111 cases via the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), while High Courts conducted prison decongestion, releasing 113 inmates. Magistrates’ Courts processed 7,068 succession cases, issuing 1,688 Certificates of Confirmation of Grants. The Mahakama Popote initiative, which virtually assigned cases to courts with capacity, resolved 72.2% of 31,187 referred matters. Court circuits addressed 8,288 cases, and Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM) expanded to all 47 counties, settling 59.9% of 11,630 cases. Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) registries, now 13 in total, handled 79% of 2,967 referred matters. The JSC has called for sustainable funding, budgetary reforms, and partnerships to strengthen digital governance and public accountability. The public forum, attended by stakeholders including the Law Society of Kenya and representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, underscored collaborative efforts to address systemic challenges. Meanwhile, unrelated updates included voting in the Msambweni parliamentary by-election and Kenya’s leadership in regional oil spill simulations. The JSC’s funding crisis remains a critical issue, with implications for judicial efficiency, public confidence, and the broader rule of law in Kenya.