The Kenyan Judiciary has asked for some Sh. 2.1 billion to purchase more than 200 top of the range cars for Kenyan judges.

According to a report that appeared in a local daily, the judiciary wants to buy 232 fuel guzzlers, some of which are estimated to cost Sh. 11 million each.

The demands are contained in the Judiciary’s Budget Estimates submitted to the National Assembly last week for approval.

“The Judiciary wants MPs’ approval for Sh. 5 billion additional funding, in which Sh. 2.1 billion will be splashed on cars and the balance on “other priority areas”. Some of the listed priority areas are car loans for the same judges and other judicial staff, mortgages and pension. It seeks to purchase 80 Mercedes Benz E200 for High Court Judges at a total cost of Sh. 883 million. Each vehicle will be bought at Sh. 11 million,” says the report.

The Judiciary is further seeking to buy additional 41 Mercedes Benz at Sh. 453 million for new judges at the same unit price of Sh. 11 million.

Another 41 4X4 Chev Trailblazer will be purchased for High Court Stations for Sh. 260 million. Each is estimated to cost Sh. 6 million.

The Judiciary also wants to buy 50 4×4 Ford Rangers at a cost of Sh. 8 million each, bringing the total cost to Sh. 383 million. It further seeks to use Sh. 153 million to buy 20 4×4 Ford Rangers.

Deputy Chief Registrar Paul Maina defended the Judiciary’s intention to use the huge sums to buy vehicles. He said some judges had been forced to share vehicles thus slowing down movements.
This, the Judiciary said, contributed to the slow pace in handling cases in the courts.

“Whereas we appreciate the additional Sh. 2 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 Sh. 5 billion be granted by the honorable members,” it adds.

Auditor General Edward Ouko, in a previous report, indicted the Judiciary for varying the cost of purchasing a motor vehicle from Sh. 10.5 million to Sh. 11.6 million.

The report indicated that after the supplier was awarded the tender, an addendum was given to include several other features that revised the contract amount from Sh. 10,500,000 to Sh. 11,671,600.