World Bank gives Judiciary Sh11b for projects

Kenya: The World Bank (WB) has granted the Judiciary over Sh11 billion, part of which will be used to build 40 courts around the country.

WB will partner with the Judiciary in the six-year project under the Judiciary Performance Improvement Project.

Among the areas set to benefit are Ol Kalau in Nyandarua, which will get a Sh280 million High Court, and Engineer Town, which will have a Sh100 million magistrate's court.

According the project co-ordinator, Nancy Kanyago, the $120 million (Sh11 billion) was a loan meant to improve delivery of justice in the country. Ms Kanyago said the funds would also be used to address case backlogs, staff development and training countrywide.

"Various projects are under way and this is part of improving service delivery to Kenyans by providing more law courts," she said when Chief Justice Willy Mutunga led judicial officers on a tour of Engineer Law Courts in Kinangop, Nyandarua County.

Mr Mutunga issued a warning to contractors over shoddy work, noting that some were colluding with judicial staff to deliver sub-standard projects at inflated costs.

"We shall blacklist and even cancel projects for all those contractors who deliver sub-standard work," he said.

He said that already, the Judiciary had built 27 High Courts in the country, with plans to have all counties covered by 2017.

Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka, who was present, promised to give Sh3 million towards construction of a county court in the area.

"For years, Nyandarua residents have been forced to seek justice from neighbouring counties. We are happy with the move to open a court in Kinangop," he said.

Nyandarua County Assembly Speaker Ndegwa Wahome expressed concern over the high backlog of cases and called on the CJ to intervene.