The Judiciary has dismissed allegations circulating on social media that over Ksh 73 million in public funds was misappropriated in the construction of a Small Claims Court in Kasarani, Nairobi.
In a statement, Judiciary Spokesperson Paul Ndemo clarified that the claims were misleading, noting that the funds allocated for the project were never disbursed by the National Treasury due to budget reductions across the public sector.
He assured that the Judiciary remains committed to completing Small Claims Courts in Kasarani, Mihang’o and Huruma, adding that funds have been allocated in the next financial year to facilitate construction.
Ndemo emphasized that the Judiciary is committed to enhancing access to justice by establishing a Magistrate’s Court in every sub-county and a High Court in every county, as outlined in its institutional blueprint, Social Transformation through Access to Justice.
He noted that Small Claims Courts play a crucial role in Nairobi’s densely populated outskirts, where many residents depend on small and medium enterprises.
These courts are designed to resolve cases valued at up to Ksh 1 million within 60 days, improving the business environment, fostering social empowerment and supporting gender justice.
The Judiciary initially partnered with the now-defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to construct Small Claims Courts in Dagoretti, Kasarani, Mihang’o, and Huruma.
The Dagoretti Law Courts were completed and officially opened by Chief Justice Martha Koome on October 11, 2024.
Within its first 100 days, the court had received 820 case filings, closing 562 of them, including 103 resolved Small Claims cases out of 216 filed.
Following NMS’s disbandment, the Judiciary assumed responsibility for the remaining three courts through a Deed of Novation signed on March 28, 2023.
Ndemo explained that the tender for Kasarani Law Courts was awarded in April 2024 at a cost of Ksh 73,156,617.
However, due to budget cuts that slashed the Judiciary’s development budget by approximately 50 percent, the contract could not be signed, and construction was put on hold.
He stated that although a contractor was selected, the project could not proceed as planned due to financial constraints.
Reaffirming the Judiciary’s commitment to completing the Kasarani, Mihang’o, and Huruma courts, Ndemo assured that the projects would resume as soon as funds are made available in the upcoming budget cycle.
