The Judiciary has proposed a Sh50.7 billion budget for the 2027/28 financial year, but the indicative ceiling set by the Treasury is only Sh30.4 billion, leaving a funding gap of about Sh20.4 billion, or 40.2 percent of the request.

Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya told a public hearing in Kajiado that the 2027 General Election will increase the demand for judicial resources to resolve election‑related disputes and fulfil constitutional duties.

The Judiciary’s budget request includes Sh46.2 billion for recurrent costs and Sh4.5 billion for development projects, while the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) separately seeks Sh1.833 billion against an indicative allocation of Sh1.038 billion, creating an additional Sh795 million gap.

Despite the shortfall, the Judiciary has expanded its physical presence, opening new courts in Yala, Khwisero, Nyakach and Chepkemel last year and planning nine more this year, plus two new Court of Appeal stations in Kakamega and Meru.

Staffing levels have risen, with the JSC recruiting 1,182 judicial staff, 124 magistrates and 53 judges over the past year, including appointments to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and Environment and Land Court.

In the 2025/26 financial year the Judiciary cleared 576,162 cases against 561,580 new filings, achieving a 103 percent clearance rate, and prioritised succession matters through automated systems like the Case Tracking System and Urithi Portal.

Director of Finance Beatrice Kamau warned that demand for judicial services continues to outstrip resources, and additional funding would be needed for technology upgrades, new court operationalisation, cybersecurity and the expanding workforce.