JSC recommends tribunal to probe Tunoi

Justice Philip Tunoi. PHOTO | FILE 

By LYNET IGADWAH, ligadwah@ke.nationmedia.com

In Summary

• Chief Justice says Commission satisfied that there was “inappropriate interaction and communication” between Justice Tonui and an agent of a litigant.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has recommended that President Uhuru Kenyatta forms a tribunal to investigate Supreme Court Judge Phillip Tonui over bribery allegations leveled against him.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga on Friday said the JSC deliberated upon and adopted a report by the special committee appointed to investigate the case.

He said the Commission was satisfied with materials presented before it that there was “inappropriate interaction and communication” between Justice Tonui and an agent of a litigant in a matter pending before the Supreme Court.

“This in the opinion of the Commission amounts to gross misconduct and misbehaviour, sufficient to warrant the establishment of a tribunal to further investigate the matter,” said Justice Mutunga.

The CJ said the tribunal should launch investigations to establish whether a bribe was given to Justice Tonui to influence the outcome of an election petition.

Journalist Geoffrey Kiplagat in a sworn affidavit to JSC alleged that Justice Tonui received a Sh200 million bribe to Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to rule in his favour in an election petition by Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu.