The Judiciary will get Sh30.38 billion in the 2026/27 financial year budget, up from the Sh27.8 billion it received in the previous fiscal year, in the latest proposals by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.
However, overall, Mbadi’s offer falls short of what the Justice Martha Koome-led Judiciary had asked in order to fulfil its Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint.
Judiciary sought Sh46 billion but is set to get the Sh30.38 billion, leaving the courts with a shortfall of Sh15.62 billion.
This shortfall presents significant challenges to the achievement of the Judiciary’s constitutional mandate and strategic objectives.
During Thursday’s Budget speech, Mbadi said the allocation would support the administration of justice and strengthen service delivery within the justice sector.
"This funding will enable the administration of justice and support the continued functioning of the Judiciary," the Treasury CS added.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), responsible for the recruitment, discipline and welfare of judicial officers, has sought an independent allocation of Sh1.783 billion from Parliament to enable it to execute its constitutional mandate.
Other institutions within the justice and accountability sector, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), were allocated Sh7billion and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Sh5.1 billion.
The Judiciary Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) report for the fiscal year 2026/2027 and the medium-term period (2026/27 – 2028/29) outlines key strategic priorities, budgetary requirements, and performance targets aimed at strengthening the rule of law, access to justice, and the efficiency of judicial processes across the country.
Key priorities for the 2026/2027 financial year include: Automation and Digitisation: Scaling up e-filing, case tracking systems, and virtual court sessions; Construction and operationalisation of new courts in underserved regions and continued implementation of mobile court services.
Others include strengthening the internal audit function and enhancing institutional governance; Recruitment and continuous training of judicial officers and support staff; Implementing case management strategies and performance contracting to enhance efficiency.
Last month, Mbadi revealed that the government has secured over Sh20 billion to renovate courts and improve working conditions for judges across the country.
He disclosed that the Treasury had already negotiated a financing arrangement with the World Bank to support major rehabilitation works within the Judiciary, beginning with the Supreme Court.
“We have done a lot for the Judiciary, by the way. We have increased their budget, and I have already negotiated with them and the World Bank to give us a lot of money, over Sh20 billion, to renovate courts,” Mbadi said during a public engagement at Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi.
Mbadi painted a grim picture of the current state of some judicial facilities, saying even Supreme Court judges face poor working conditions.
“We are starting with the Supreme Court. Our judges have no toilets; they have to look for toilets anywhere, everywhere. That is the truth. Imagine judges of the Supreme Court,” he said.
The CS further stated that the government is prioritising the improvement of the Court of Appeal and tribunals, many of which currently operate without proper court facilities.
“Court of Appeal, we are also working to make sure it is improved. And finally, there are tribunals which don’t even have courts, so we are going to revamp the Judiciary,” he stated.
