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{
    "id": 647714,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/647714/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 187,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Wahome",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1700,
        "legal_name": "Alice Muthoni Wahome",
        "slug": "alice-muthoni-wahome"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker for giving me opportunity to support the Judiciary Fund Bill, 2016. It is regrettable that Parliament, in its duty, has not enacted this Bill. However, this 11th Parliament is doing the job timely. The timing of this Bill allows us to say something about the manner in which our Judiciary is managing administration of justice. We have been treated to numerous cases, allegations and accusations that the Judiciary is being compromised. We have heard that those who have money in this country buy justice. This story has been going on for long. You will recall that there was the radical surgery of the Judiciary and then thereafter the vetting of the magistrates and judges. We are talking about reforms under the new Constitution. It saddens Members of this House and legal practitioners who take cases and believe that they can get justice on merit. When we talk about having this Bill in order to assist the Judiciary in its financial management, administration of justice, creating more space and facilities for the Judiciary, we cannot avoid saying we need seriousness in our Judiciary. We need cessation of commercialisation of our Judiciary by the judges and the leadership of the Judiciary. Personally, I would say that it is not proper for the Head of the Judiciary to be the one saying that there is corruption and that there is nothing he can do about it yet he is the Chief Justice of this country; a position constitutionally given to him. The objective of the Fund is to safeguard the financial and the operational independence of the Judiciary. Money alone cannot give the Judiciary its independence. There are cartels and criminals. That is where the biggest problem is. We may give money and allow larger or wider facilities but still there is no independence of the Judiciary in administration of Justice in terms of fairness, timeliness and expeditious disposal of cases. Cases are referred to known judges for specific interests. We must stop that as a country and clear those who are not able to work within those parameters. I am supporting this Bill. In terms of accountability of the funds, we have seen some investments by the Judiciary that are not above board; houses being bought by the Judiciary with monies and amounts that are not logical in terms of the figures. The Kshs300,000,000 was spent on the purchase of a house for the Chief Justice a year ago but to date, it has not been occupied. We have heard of renting of houses for the Judiciary. When we create this Fund, we are hoping that we are now not putting money in the hands of the same people who have failed to be The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}