Kigen explained that besides the interactions with Kiplagat as Sang’s witness, they have never discussed Justice Tunoi or even the Nairobi Governor/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25- Lawyer Katwa Kigen has refuted claims by Justice Phillip Tunoi’s main accuser, that he provided logistical means during the alleged exchange of Sh200 million between the judge and Governor Evans Kidero.
In his sworn affidavit, Geoffrey Kiplagat alleges that Kigen was the one who drove the judge to Petro Petrol station located on Waiyaki way, where the alleged money exchanged hands.
Kiplagat further alleges that they had series of meetings in a bid to secure the deal, which the lawyer says were only limited in him being Joshua arap Sang’s witness, whom Kigen was representing at the International Criminal Court.
“We met in several places and he would normally walk in my office whether with an appointment or without,” he stated.
Kiplagat used to work at the same media house as Sang.
Kigen explained that besides the interactions with Kiplagat as Sang’s witness, they have never discussed Justice Tunoi or even the Nairobi Governor.
He however admitted that he knows Mike Njeru, one of Governor Kidero’s friend and a witness at the tribunal, who was introduced to him by a client he was drafting a partnership deal for between 2007 and 2008.
The deal, Kigen said did not however materialise.
Kiplagat claims that on Wednesday August 27, 2014, he received a call from Kigen, asking him to meet him in Pasara Restaurant located at Lonrho house.
“I don’t recall calling him, but I met him on the 19th of August 2014 and on that occasion I obtained a statement from him and an affidavit for purposes of the ICC proceedings,” he explained.
“Unfortunately, he signed the affidavit without a date… from the 20th of August (2014) I was looking for him for purposes of concurring on placing a date on the affidavit so that it can be complete.”
It is during the alleged meeting that Kiplagat claims that the lawyer wanted to know whether he knew businessman Njeru and “whether we could converge there, that night for the ‘big meeting’.
Kigen’s response was that, “it is completely untrue. I have never discussed with him about Mr Njeru.”
It is at this point that Kigen allegedly called Justice Tunoi, who asked him (Kigen), “to work with you (Kiplagat) in expediting everything.”
The tribunal will resume sitting on Tuesday next week but a court ruling this Friday on whether Tunoi should have retired at the age of 70 could render it redundant.
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