The Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) in partnership with the Judiciary has released the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) aimed at improving judicial processes and providing quality services.
The MTEF document projects to facilitate efficiency, accessibility, independence and establish an objective decentralized system of justice delivery.
Speaking during a forum at Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Judiciary Head of Finance Beatrice Kamau outlined last year’s achievements, saying case clearance improved between 2021 and 2022 from 84 per cent to 94 per cent.
Kamau also acknowledged that the judiciary continues to face challenges of insufficient funding while recommending an increase in resources and suggested that retaining fines collected would reduce dependence on the exchequer.
She further pointed out the judiciary has a resource gap of Sh 19 billion which creates under funding in priority areas like purchasing of motor vehicles and construction of magistrate courts.
In her remarks, JSC Head of Finance Rebecca Kiplagat presented the commission’s budget noting that it has a resource gap of Sh 532million which affects areas of development which require Sh 500 million but receives Sh 50 million.
Kiplagat cited challenges that the JSC continues to experience such as inadequate premises, high cost in conducting training programs for the commission and inadequate funding from the government.
She recommended that Kenya Judiciary Academy formerly known as Judiciary Training Institute be allocated funds to facilitate its construction. Moreover, Kiplagat advocated for an enhancement in infrastructure to minimize the cost incurred while renting space used for training and meetings.
The JSC Head of Finance urged the government to support the organisation as they seek to integrate technology fully in their systems, noting that they are currently operating manually.
By Phinta Amondi and Elizabeth Mugo
