The Judiciary has been forced to defer many planned outputs and activities aimed at improving access to justice.
Speaking during the Convened Annual Judiciary–Development Partners Roundtable meeting, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya revealed that they are grappling with budgetary cuts.
Additionally, she lamented that in the current 2024/2025 financial year, the Judiciary has only received an allocation of Ksh21.85 billion against an established requirement of Ksh44.9 billion.
Consequently, it has left many funding gaps in the judicial institution.
“In the current fiscal year (FY 2024/25), the Judiciary is grappling with budgetary cuts, having only received Ksh21.85 billion against an established requirement of Ksh44.9 billion.
“This allocation represents just 49 percent of the Judiciary’s financial needs,” she said.
Other activities that have been disrupted include enhancing court infrastructure and modernizing judicial processes.
“The ongoing collaboration with development partners and the national government will remain key in ensuring that the Judiciary can meet its obligations and serve the public effectively,” added Mokaya.
Also Read: Koome Speaks After Withdrawal of Lawrence Mugambi’s Security
Judiciary Implements New Transaction System
On the other hand, the Judiciary has implemented a new system to manage all its financial transactions.
In a notice, the Martha Koome-led institution has indicated that the move will improve the management of court fees, deposits, refunds, and other administrative functions.
“The transition to this new platform, which is fully integrated with the e-filing and Case Management systems, is now complete and the refund process which had been suspended has resumed.”
Therefore, payment receipts will now be accessible via SMS acknowledgment in addition to the e-filing and CTS platforms.
Additionally, depositors will be required to update their bank details through a link sent to their mobile phone when a refund is being processed.
“We are working diligently to ensure that all outstanding refunds, forfeitures, and utilizations are completed as swiftly as possible.”
Also Read: No One Can Tell Police IG Whom to Protect, Masengeli Responds to Koome
Mugambi Vs Masengeli
On Monday, September 16, Chief Justice Martha Koome revealed the withdrawal of the security detail of Justice Lawrence Mugambi who has been presiding over the case of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) & three others versus the Acting Inspector General (IG) of Police Gilbert Masenegeli and four other people.
She condemned the National Police Service for withdrawing and disarming the security detail assigned to Justice Mugambi.
However, acting Inspector General (IG) of Police Gilbert Masengeli has responded to Koome saying that the responsibility for the independent command of the Service is vested in the IG.
Therefore, no one may give directions to the IG concerning the employment, assignment, promotion, suspension, or dismissal of any member of the National Police Service, in accordance with Article 245 (4)(c) of the Constitution.
According to the Service, other than the President, the Deputy President, and the retired President, no other Kenyan is entitled by law to be provided with a personal security detail.
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