This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
On November 7, 2017, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Commissioner Macharia Njeru expressed concerns over the government's decision to cut the Judiciary budget, stating that it would hinder the administration of justice.
According to Njeru, the budget allocated to the judiciary was inadequate for its operations, and the cut would exacerbate the backlog of cases the Judiciary is grappling with.
"This is unacceptable coming against a backdrop of the backlog of cases that the Judiciary is grappling with," Njeru said.
The Commissioner emphasized that the Judiciary is a critical arm of the government and allocating it inadequate funds can grind to a halt its operations.
He noted that the Judiciary has a role to play in ease of doing business in the country by expeditiously determining disputes, a mandate that requires adequate funding.
"This action undermines the country's prospects of having a robust, dependable judiciary for the people of Kenya," Njeru said, adding that the budget cut also diminishes prospects of Kenya as an attractive destination for investments by both local and foreign investors.
He also highlighted that the budget cut has directly affected clients and lawyers.
