Kenya is set to construct a new Supreme Court complex after the Cabinet approved a Ksh26 billion project aimed at modernising the Judiciary and improving access to justice.
The project, which will be financed in partnership with the World Bank under the Judicial Performance Improvement Project (JPIP) Phase II, is one of the biggest investments in the Judiciary’s infrastructure in recent years.
But the Supreme Court is not the only beneficiary.
The programme will also finance the construction of a dedicated Court of Appeal building, a consolidated Tribunals and Judiciary Administration complex, and a modern Kenya Judiciary Academy to strengthen training for judicial officers.
In a dispatch released after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, the government said the investment is intended to strengthen public institutions while making justice more accessible to Kenyans.
“Cabinet also endorsed major investments in strategic infrastructure to strengthen public services and accelerate economic growth,” the Cabinet said.
The approval comes after years of concerns over the state of the Judiciary’s infrastructure, with the Supreme Court operating from facilities that many judicial leaders have described as inadequate for the country’s highest court.
Beyond putting up new buildings, the government says the project is expected to improve the efficiency of courts, reduce delays in handling cases and create a better working environment for judges and court staff.
Officials also believe a stronger and more efficient justice system will boost investor confidence by ensuring commercial disputes are resolved more quickly.
Once implemented, the project is expected to reshape Kenya’s judicial infrastructure and support ongoing reforms aimed at delivering faster, more efficient and more accessible justice to all Kenyans.