NAIROBI, Kenya – The Judiciary has received a substantial budgetary boost in the 2025/26 financial year, signaling the government’s renewed focus on strengthening the justice system and enhancing access to legal services.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi on Thursday allocated Sh27.8 billion to the Judiciary, up from Sh24.7 billion in the previous financial year — a Sh3.1 billion increase.
The funding, part of the Sh4.2 trillion national budget unveiled in Parliament, is aimed at expanding the reach and efficiency of judicial services across the country.
“This will enable the administration of justice,” said Mbadi, emphasizing the government’s intention to bolster institutional performance within the legal sector.
The increased Judiciary allocation is part of a broader strategy to support oversight and accountability institutions.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) were jointly allocated Sh4.5 billion — a modest rise from last year’s Sh4 billion for ODPP and Sh4.2 billion for EACC.
The State Law Office, however, saw a reduction in funding, receiving Sh5.3 billion compared to Sh6.9 billion in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
The Office of the Auditor General maintained its budget at Sh8.7 billion.
This year’s Sh4.2 trillion budget — up from Sh3.91 trillion in the previous year — is themed “Stimulating Sustainable Economic Recovery for Improved Livelihoods, Job Creation, and Business and Industrial Prosperity”.
According to Mbadi, it is anchored in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the Kenya Kwanza administration’s economic blueprint aimed at boosting grassroots development and industrial growth.
The increased spending on justice and oversight institutions aligns with growing calls to enhance transparency and accountability in public service, especially amid rising concerns about corruption and access to fair legal redress.
