This archive report was first published on 31 October 2019.
On October 31, 2019, a tense standoff erupted in Parliament between lawmakers and the National Treasury over the latter's decision to slash the Judiciary's budget by close to Sh3 billion.
Acting National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani had issued a circular reducing the Judiciary's budget from Sh14.5 billion to Sh11.5 billion, citing austerity measures. However, MPs were quick to protest the move, arguing that the Treasury had overstepped its authority.
Majority Leader Aden Duale stated, 'From where I sit, and knowing the powers given to this House, this is not a serious matter. We cannot be discussing the CS's memo. This House has its constitutional powers to budget and appropriate resources.'
Minority Leader John Mbadi added that Yatani's actions were 'irregular and wrong' as they interfered with the operations of other government institutions, contrary to Article 94 of the Constitution.
MP Peter Kaluma demanded that Speaker Justin Muturi provide direction on whether the National Assembly had acted in vain by allocating funds to the Judiciary, only for the CS to slash them through a memo.
