Justice Tunoi wants tribunal to hear his case in private

Suspended Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi wants the tribunal investigating his conduct over allegations of receiving Ksh 20o million from Nairobi Governor Dr. Evans Kidero to conduct the hearing in private.

The Sharad Rao-led tribunal was formed to determine whether Justice Tunoi should continue to hold office following claims by journalist Geoffrey Kiplagat that he took a bribe of 200 million shillings from Kidero in an election petition filed by Kabete Member of Parliament Ferdinand Waititu.

Early March this year, the tribunal was sworn in, amid controversy over its chairmanship.

The Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board chair Sharad Rao was sworn in as the chair of the tribunal, although earlier reports indicated that the President had appointed retired Judge Jonathan Havelock as the chair, after lawyers raised doubts on the qualifications of Rao to lead the tribunal.

Speaking after the swearing in ceremony, presided over by Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga at the Supreme Court, Rao promised to carry out thorough investigations on the claims facing Tunoi without favour.

In late February, President Uhuru Kenyatta suspended Tunoi and formed a six-member tribunal to further probe him.