This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
Published on November 28, 2019, Nairobi — The National Treasury's supplementary budget cuts have been a subject of controversy, with some fearing they target the Judiciary.
Solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto has come out to clarify that the cuts are not specifically targeting the Judiciary, but rather a move to rationalize government expenditure due to prevailing revenue shortfalls.
Appearing before the Senate Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, Ogeto represented Attorney General Paul Kariuki, who was invited to answer queries raised by senators.
"There has been misconception that the budget cuts are focused on the Judiciary and I want to urge everyone not to make such comments because that is not the position," Ogeto said.
He further emphasized that the austerity measures will affect not only the Judiciary but other government agencies and departments as well, as they all need to adjust to the new financial reality.
"They are cutting (the budget) across the entire government and I can confirm that even the Office of the Attorney General will drastically be affected," he said.
According to the Supplementary Budget tabled in Parliament two weeks ago, Sh3.3 billion will be cut from the Sh18 billion judiciary funding.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi had previously warned that Judiciary operations may be paralysed after February 2020 if the proposed budget cuts are effected, with litigants potentially having to provide papers and tonners for their judgments to be printed.
