I’ve only seen Judge Tunoi on TV, Governor Kidero says

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has denied allegations of bribing Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi in a bid to influence the outcome of an election petition filed by Kabete Member of Parliament, Ferdinand Waititu.

Speaking in Sori town in Nyatike Constituency, Kidero said that he had no association with the embattled judge, adding that he has only seen Tunoi on television.

Poking holes in fomer Kass FM journalist Geoffrey Kiplagat’s narrative, Kidero said the USD2 million bribe which was allegedly given to the judge could not possibly fit in a suitcase. The Nairobi Govenor added that one would need 34 tonne trucks to carry such a huge amount.

The Governor now reads as malice the allegations, insisting that his case was determined purely on merit and Kenya’s election laws.

Kidero’s statement comes amid fresh claims that the cash paid out in the scandal was Ksh100 million more than what has been quoted, with lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi claiming the bribe was shared among six Supreme Court judges.

Speaking during Citizen TV’s Sunday Live, Abdullahi stated that USD3 million was paid out to Tunoi and “two ladies”.

Citing a 63 paragraph affidavit submitted by Kiplagat, the “Grand Mullah” said that the Lady Justices Njoki Ndun’gu and Kalpana Rawal are the “two ladies” implicated in the sworn statement.

In the affidavit, the former Kass FM journalist elaborated how the alleged bribe, in cash, was exchanged between the Governor’s emissaries and the Judge days before Waititu’s petition was thrown out.

Addressing the claims, the 72-year-old judge said the graft allegations were a creation of some judges and senior lawyers eyeing his Supreme Court seat.

Tunoi is currently appearing before a special committee of the Judicial Service Commission chaired by Prof. Margaret Kobia. The committee has been tasked with probing allegations of grand corruption that could have far reaching implications on the highest court in the land.