Judges want Sh2.1 billion for 'luxury' vehicles

Judges want Sh2.1 billion for luxury vehicles.

The Judiciary is seeking Sh2.1 billion to purchase more than 200 high-end cars for judges.

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.