The Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Winfridah Mokaya, has called on Parliament to urgently address the Judiciary’s growing funding gap which continues to constrain the effective delivery of justice.
Speaking during an engagement with the Judiciary Legal Affairs Committee on the processing of the Financial Year 2026/2027 budget estimates, Mokaya said the Judiciary requires enhanced funding to effectively execute its constitutional mandate amid rising operational demands.
She emphasized that sufficient financial resources are critical in enabling courts and tribunals to operate efficiently, particularly as the country begins preparations for the 2027 elections.
Election Preparedness Takes Priority
A key focus of the FY 2026/27 budget estimates is electoral preparedness.
The Judiciary is seeking funding for election-related activities through the Judiciary Elections Committee (JCE) and the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), both of which are expected to play a central role in handling disputes arising before, during, and after the polls.
According to Mokaya, the allocations are necessary to ensure the Judiciary is institutionally ready to manage the anticipated increase in election petitions and political disputes without disrupting normal court operations.
The budget proposal also prioritizes the establishment and operationalization of new courts across the country. This includes facilitating newly recruited Judges and Magistrates to strengthen judicial capacity and improve access to justice at the grassroots level.
Expansion of Courts and ICT Services
The Judiciary is also seeking enhanced operational support for newly created tribunals and courts, alongside increased investment in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services.
The Chief Registrar noted that digital systems remain critical in improving efficiency, reducing case backlog, and enhancing service delivery within the justice sector.
Over the past few years, the Judiciary has increasingly relied on ICT-driven processes such as virtual hearings, e-filing systems, and digital case management to streamline court operations.
The session was attended by several senior Judiciary officials, including the Director of Finance, the Registrar of the High Court, the Registrar of the Magistrates’ Court, the Registrar in the Office of the Chief Registrar, and other members of the Judiciary management team.
The engagement forms part of ongoing consultations between the Judiciary and Parliament over budget allocations for the upcoming financial year.
