The Chief Justice David Maraga-led institution wants to buy 232 fuel guzzlers, some of which are estimated to cost Sh11 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 Sh5 billion additional funding, in which Sh2.1 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 Sh883 million. Each vehicle will be bought at Sh11 million.
The Judiciary further seeks to buy additional 41 Mercedes Benz at Sh453 million for new judges at the same unit price of Sh11 million.
Another 41 4X4 Chev Trailblazer will be purchased for High Court Stations for Sh260 million. Each is estimated to cost Sh6 million.
The Judiciary also wants to buy 50 4x4 Ford Rangers at a cost of Sh8 million each, bringing the total cost to Sh383 million.
Defended decision
It further seeks to use Sh153 million to buy 20 4x4 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 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.
Auditor General Edward Ouko, in a previous report, indicted the Judiciary for varying the cost of purchasing a motor vehicle from Sh10.5 million to Sh11.6 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 Sh10,500,000 to Sh11,671,600.
Africans are really doomed. Instead of figuring out a way to digitize the court system to enable speedy trials and clear the backlog, they are busy thinking luxury. These judges/magistrates need to find a way to get to work like any other Kenyan. Upuss kabisa!
It is understandable for Supreme and Appelate court judges to be given vehicles and protection, the rest should hustle like any other Kenyans. Bure kabisa!
Pure straight faced, shameless lies.
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.
Shouldn’t there be a minimum price limit on government provided vehicles? Surely 2 billion on luxury cars and there are people starving in this country. Shit is sad. If it was in my powers i would buy them Premio /Allion which are very decent cars.
Wakati alikuwa na kifunguo ya stoo ya fedha za nchi,Jamieson 1 and his several billions of computer errors,bought VW Pasats for PSs and other gaament officials…
The kind of wastage that goes on in government is disgusting!
Lower cadre civil servants should be first in line if and when a revolution ever happens.
Senior civil servants are given car,fuel,driver,house,house helps,security etc etc kwani what is their salaries for!!
Little wonder why they lord over us like we’re subjects while indeed we are their employers!!!
parliament is not known for introspection,ngoja uone vile watashine nayo, committee hearings,press conferences,mazishi, church,saa hii wamepata alternative message to Tanga Tanga na kieleweke.
why is it so hard for kenya to manufacture our own vehicles,under state run corporations or otherwise to give jobs to the people,several countries would be willing to Give us more than enough ToT to build Sedans,SUV’s, APC’s etc. from scratch, creating new supply chains & businesses which would all employ common folk locally and regionally, plus, any corporation that does this is more than likely going to make massive profits over the long run, and it wouldn’t even take longer than ten years to start building world class vehicles due to all the tech. that is immensely abundant in Kenya.
My thoughts exactly, Premio is a nice comfy car, infact the Judiciary should lease them from Toyota like the Police are doing. Mtu akitaka Merc anunue na pesa yake.
Until we realise that to serve in public service really means to serve and not to ‘eat’ and enjoy. Ideally if you want to enjoy life and money do business and innovate