Judiciary Demands Sh2.1 Billion To Purchase High-end Vehicles For Judges

The Judiciary is seeking approval of Sh2.1 billion to purchase 232 high-end vehicles for its judges.

The amount is part of the Sh5 billion additional funding application submitted to the National Assembly last week during the presentation of the judiciary’s budget estimates.

The David Maraga-led body estimates that each vehicle will cost Sh11 million, and the remaining amount, out of the Sh2.1 billion, be used on “other priority areas”.

Some of the priority areas listed by the arm of government are car loans for the judges and other judicial staff, pension and mortgages.

The Judiciary seeks to purchase 80 Mercedes Benz E200 for High Court Judges at a cost of Sh883 million.

Further, the judiciary seeks to buy additional 41 Mercedes Benz at Sh 453 million, each costing Sh11 million.

Part of the money listed will be used to purchase 41 4X4 Chev Trailblazer for High Court Stations at Sh8 million each, bringing the total figure at Sh260 million.

Another 50 4×4 Ford Rangers will be purchased for Sh383 million, at a cost of Sh6 million each.

An additional amount of Sh153 million will be set aside for 20 4×4 Ford Rangers.

Defending the expenses, Deputy Chief Registrar Paul Maina said the vehicles will facilitate smooth running of the judicial service operations.

Read:Judiciary Irregularly Spent Ksh5.4 Million To Hire DCJ Mwilu’s Lawyer

He added that, in the past some judges have been forced to share vehicles, slowing judicial activities.

“Whereas we appreciate the additional Sh2 billion allocated in the latest approved Budget Policy Statement, we will have a shortfall due to enormous case load, the anticipated recruitment of more judges to help in expediting and reducing cases, including anti-corruption cases, and the need for vehicles for these new judges and the current judges who have had to share vehicles,” reads Maina’s submission to the House.

“It is our humble request that this submission be positively received and that our prayer for additional funding of Sh5 billion be granted by the honorable members,” it adds.

In a recent report, Auditor-General Edward Ouko put the judiciary on the spot over Sh1.5 billion audit query.

In yet another revelation, Ouko disclosed that the commission improperly spent Ksh5.4 million to hire a lawyer for Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu.

Ouko noted: “The engagement was not subjected to a competitive process to determine the suitability of the candidate for the job.”

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