DP Says Bill Formalising Retirement Benefits Is Ready for Parliamentary Debate
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has pledged to speed up the passage of a law that will guarantee judges a dignified sendoff once they leave office. Speaking at the Supreme Court grounds during the presentation of the State of the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice Annual Report, Kindiki said the legislation has already been approved by the Cabinet and is now awaiting debate in Parliament.
Kindiki emphasized that the proposed law is part of a broader commitment by President William Ruto’s administration to improve the welfare of judges and ensure they retire with stability and dignity. He noted that the government views it as unacceptable for retired judges to face financial difficulty after years of service.
Supreme Court Land Title to Be Issued Before Christmas
The Deputy President also announced that the title deed for the land on which the Supreme Court sits is being fast-tracked. He said the document will be delivered before Christmas, fulfilling a promise earlier made by President Ruto.
The title deed and the retirement Bill, he added, reflect improved cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary since 2022.
Government Support to Judiciary Has Expanded Since 2022
Kindiki highlighted several areas where the Judiciary has received increased support from the Kenya Kwanza administration. Since 2022, 51 judges have been recruited across the High Court, Land and Environment Court and the Court of Appeal, with 40 more under recruitment and an additional 45 expected next year.
The Judicial Service Commission has also been enabled to hire 114 magistrates, with 100 more positions in progress.
Over the same period, the Judiciary’s budget has grown from Ksh.21 billion to Ksh.26 billion, while the Judiciary Fund has been operationalised to strengthen financial independence.
Call for Clearer Judicial Interpretation
Kindiki also urged judges to strengthen jurisprudence on areas that remain unclear, including the balance between judicial independence and interdependence with other arms of government. He said greater clarity would help guide institutional cooperation while safeguarding constitutional boundaries.
The Deputy President added that the Executive will support the Judiciary’s supplementary budget request currently before Parliament.
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