NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 7 – A tribunal has recommended the removal of High Court Judge Justice Said Juma Chitembwe who was under investigation.
Findings of the tribunal were presented to President William Ruto on Tuesday afternoon.
The chair of the tribunal Justice Mumbi Ngugi said it found the judge guilty of gross misconduct.
“The tribunal unanimously found judge Chitembwe breached the Constitution while discharging his duties,” said Justice Ngugi.
President Ruto thanked the tribunal for expediting its work, noting that leadership comes with responsibility and accountability.
The Head of State said the Constitution remains the guiding principle for all those who have been given the responsibility to serve Kenyans.
“I want to remind Kenyans that there are mechanisms to take care of any situation where someone is believed to have acted in contravention of the law while discharging public duties,” said President Ruto.
“I will do what the Constitution expects of me, ” said the President.
A tribunal to investigate the judge was set up by former president Uhuru Kenyatta on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
“The Commission would like to notify the public that the panel constituted to consider the petitions concluded its work and presented its report to the full Commission for deliberation,” Chief Justice Martha Koome said at the time.
It followed petitions filed against the judge, including by former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko.
The commission also wanted the judge investigated following viral video clips on social media in which he was allegedly discussing active cases with third parties.
One of the petitions was filed by a Mr Francis Wambua who accused the judge of gross judicial misconduct, including discussing the merits of a matter pending in court, with third parties.
