This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
Kenya: Slashing Judiciary Budget Amid Graft War Raises Red Flags ¶
Published on November 4, 2019
The Kenyan government's decision to cut the Judiciary's budget amid a high-profile graft war has sparked concerns about the country's commitment to fighting corruption.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration has been vocal about its efforts to tackle corruption, but the recent budget cuts have raised questions about the sincerity of these efforts.
According to critics, the Judiciary is a crucial institution in the fight against corruption, and cutting its budget will only serve to undermine its effectiveness.
"The Judiciary needs more funding to help it tackle the corruption menace once and for all," said a legal researcher, Ms. Guyo.
The government's decision to cut the Judiciary's budget has been met with widespread criticism, with many arguing that it is a step backward in the fight against corruption.
"Subjecting the Judiciary to budget cuts amid runaway graft is not only irresponsible, but shows lack of seriousness by the government in tackling the problem," Ms. Guyo added.
The Judiciary has been at the forefront of efforts to tackle corruption in Kenya, with the Judges and Magistrates Board playing a key role in ridding the institution of corrupt officials.
However, the recent budget cuts have raised concerns about the institution's ability to continue this work.
"Reducing the budget for the Judiciary will lead to the return of corrupt magistrates and judges, and it is not where we want to return," Ms. Guyo warned.
The government's decision to cut the Judiciary's budget has also been criticized for its potential impact on national security.
"Most importantly, it has the potential of becoming a national security matter, much more now as we are fighting terrorism within and without our borders," Ms. Guyo said.
President Kenyatta has been criticized for his administration's handling of corruption, with many arguing that he has not done enough to tackle the problem.
"Forget the 'Big Four Agenda'. If President Uhuru Kenyatta wants to leave a real legacy, then let it be a corruption-free Kenya," Ms. Guyo said.
Ms. Guyo is a legal researcher and can be reached on Twitter at @kdiguyo.
