Kidero threatens to sue Ahmednasir over Justice Tunoi bribery claims

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has threatened to sue lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi over reports that he allegedly bribed Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi.

Speaking after appearing before a six-member special committee formed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to probe the bribery claims against Justice Tunoi, Kidero claimed that Ahmednasir’s allegations are aimed at getting back at him for refusing to hire him in the petition challenging his election filed by Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu.

The Nairobi governor claimed that Ahmednasir wanted Sh25 million as legal fees and yet he had a strong case against Waititu and did not need his representation.

The governor further threatened to take legal action against anyone who accuses him of bribing Justice Tunoi to influence his ruling.

Appearing before Citizen TV’s Sunday Live, lawyer Ahmednasir alleged that USD3 million, and not USD2 million was paid to three Supreme Court judges, including Justice Tunoi to make a ruling in Kidero’s favour.

Citing a 63-paragraph affidavit submitted by Geoffrey Kiplagat, the lawyer claimed that Lady Justices Njoki Ndung’u and Kalpana Rawal are the “two ladies” implicated in the allegations, which were brought to light by former Kass presenter Geoffrey Kiplagat.

In his defence when he appeared before the committee on Monday, Justice Tunoi questioned the character of Kiplagat saying the allegations against him are pegged on succession politics in Supreme Court positions.

His statement before the committee was a reiteration of his earlier defence last week where he claimed that there were concerted efforts by unnamed people opposed to his push for an extension in his retirement age.

He said he had read both the old and the new Constitution passed in 2010 and he is right to demand that he retires at the age of 74.

“There is also the question of whether I should retire at the age of 70 or 72. I have fought for my right to retire at the age of 74 based on what the Section 31 of the Sixth Schedule.”

The section quoted by Justice Tunoi states: “Unless this schedule provides otherwise, a person who immediately before the effective date, held or was acting in an office established by the former Constitution shall on the effective date continue to hold or act in that office under this Constitution for the unexpired period, if any, of the term of the person.”

The committee, which is chaired by head of Public Service Commission (PSC) Prof Margaret Kobia has seven days to probe the allegations and forward their findings to the JSC.

By @benjaminwafula