Judiciary seeks adequate funding ahead of 2027 General Elections
KAJIADO. September 29, 2026. Judiciary seeks adequate funding ahead of 2027 General Elections
The Judiciary requires adequate resources to effectively discharge its mandate in handling disputes that may arise from the 2027 General Elections, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Hon Winfridah Mokaya has said.
Speaking during the joint Judiciary and Judicial Service Commission (JSC) public hearings on their proposed budgets for the Financial Year 2027/28, at Kajiado Law Courts, Hon Mokaya said that for the Judiciary to effectively play its role in holding the country’s fragile democracy together, there is need to adequately fund it, ahead of the elections.
Hon Mokaya maintained that the year that the Judiciary is currently budgeting for – 2027/28, is particularly unique due to the forthcoming 2027 General Elections adding that this is a time when the entire weight of the country rests upon the shoulders of the Judiciary. She noted that it is against this backdrop that the country must consider the resource requirements for Financial Year 2027/28 for both the Judiciary and JSC.
The CRJ said the Judiciary will require a total of KSh50.7 billion to effectively discharge its constitutional mandate, while JSC will require KSh1.833 billion.
The proposed budget for the Judiciary is expected to fund the preparedness and dispute resolution arising from the 2027 General Elections, reduction of case backlog and improvement of case clearance, as well as expansion of pathways to justice, including Alternative Justice Systems and mediation.
Other areas it will fund include technology and automation to improve service delivery, improvement of court infrastructure and facilities, strengthening human resource capacity and staff development, as well as advancing innovations that improve the citizen experience.
“As we advocate for adequate funding, we do so because investment in justice institutions is an investment in the rule of law, constitutional governance and access to justice,” the CRJ said.
She added: “As we reflect on what we have been able to do with the resources allocated to us last year, we must acknowledge that the demand for judicial services continues to out-pace the growth in resources. The people of Kenya continue to demand- and rightly so- that justice must not remain out of the reach of many.”
Hon Mokaya said the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission therefore have no option but to continue expanding access to justice despite the inadequate resource allocation.
“We must enhance technological capabilities, operationalise new court facilities, strengthen cybersecurity, support a growing workforce and respond to emerging justice needs across the country.”
The CRJ said investment in justice institutions is an investment in the rule of law, constitutional governance and access to justice.
She explained that public hearing is both a constitutional obligation and an important opportunity to listen to citizens in order to align the Judiciary’s and JSC’s budget priorities to respond to their justice needs and experiences.
“While this is exercise is a fulfilment of constitutional decree, we do not merely hold it to tick the legal box. We are guided by the people-centred justice approach under, the justice solutions we craft take into account the feedback we receive from such consultative forum,” she said.
Hon Mokaya noted that views of the public will be important in helping refine plans, strengthen budget proposals and ensure that resources are directed where they will have the greatest impact.
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