Kenya’s Judiciary hits 104% case clearance as judges’ pension reform advances
Kenya’s Judiciary has recorded a 104 per cent case clearance rate in the 2024/25 financial year, resolving 647,686 matters against 621,425 filed. Meanwhile, a long-awaited Bill aimed at securing retirement benefits for judges has moved forward after delays and constitutional concerns.
The proposed law, now awaiting parliamentary debate, follows years of discussion and recent government commitments to strengthen judicial support.
The Judges' Retirement Benefits Bill, 2025, was first approved by Cabinet in April but faced setbacks. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) initially rejected it over fears of unconstitutional provisions and financial strain. This led to further reviews and prolonged the legislative process.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki later confirmed he had fast-tracked the Bill’s drafting and submission to Cabinet, fulfilling a directive from President William Ruto. Under the proposed law, judges will contribute 7.5 per cent of their salaries to a retirement fund, while the government will add 15 per cent.
Beyond pension reforms, the Judiciary has expanded its workforce. Since 2022, 51 new judges have joined the High Court, Land and Environment Court, and Court of Appeal. Funding has also increased, with the Judiciary’s budget rising from Sh21 billion in 2022 to Sh26 billion in 2025. A dedicated Judiciary Fund has been established, with operations now being streamlined.
President Ruto has also pledged to deliver the title deed for the Supreme Court premises before Christmas. This follows earlier commitments to improve judicial infrastructure and support systems.
The Bill’s passage would mark a key change in how judges’ retirement benefits are managed. If approved, it will create a structured pension system for superior court judges, reducing reliance on ad-hoc arrangements.
The Judiciary’s recent performance figures and budget growth suggest ongoing efforts to improve efficiency. However, the Bill’s final approval still depends on parliamentary debate and resolution of earlier concerns.
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