Kidero stated that his case before the Supreme Court was clear cut and there was no other way it could have ended except in his favour/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 24 – Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero is happy with the formation of a tribunal to probe allegations he paid Sh200 million to Justice Philip Tunoi, saying it gives him a chance to prove his innocence.
While pointing out that he is not worried about the claims that he bribed the judge, Kidero stated that his case before the Supreme Court was clear cut and there was no other way it could have ended except in his favour.
“I would like to congratulate the President for appointing the tribunal because judge Tunoi must be given an opportunity to prove himself. However with regard to my case, it was very clear from the very beginning,” he stated.
“We won at the High Court and there was a division in the Court of Appeal. It was very clear it was determined on the issue of time,” he said.
Kidero said Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu missed the deadline in submitting his suit papers as was the case with Raila Odinga’s petition against President Kenyatta’s poll win.
“Raila Odinga’s case was thrown out because he was late for four days. Instead of presenting everything in 14 days, they did it in 18 days. In my case, Waititu did not present his papers in time,” he explained.
“He was late in the Court of Appeal by a massive 73 days instead of 13 but as you can see, I am not worried. Can’t you see I am busy giving Nairobi residents services?” he posed.
On Tuesday, President Kenyatta suspended Tunoi and formed a seven-member tribunal to investigate the allegations against him.
READ: Uhuru backpedals, appoints tribunal to probe Justice Tunoi
Journalist Geoffrey Kiplagat had sworn an affidavit claiming to have acted as a “bridge,” in the exchange of Sh202 million between Kidero and Tunoi so that the latter would sway the Supreme Court decision on the Constitutionality of the former’s election in his favour.
The Supreme Court in August 2014 adjudged that an appeal filed by Waititu (now Kabete MP) challenging Kidero’s election into office should not have been entertained by the Court of Appeal as it was time barred and thereby upheld Kidero’s election.
Following the revelation that money could have exchanged hands, Waititu now wants the decision reviewed.
Tunoi, who is currently embroiled in a retirement dispute with the JSC, has denied ever receiving a bribe and said the allegations are part of a conspiracy to “hound” him out of office.
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