Leaders express mixed reactions to Justice Phillip Tunoi’s verdict

Leaders from both sides of the political divide have expressed mixed reactions to the verdict by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) special committee recommending for the establishment of a tribunal to further probe bribery allegations leveled against Supreme Court Judge Phillip Tonui.

Coalitions for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) Co-Principal Moses Wetangula has called for a cautious approach to the matter, even as some of his colleagues in the coalition demanded for an immediate disbandment of the entire bench that ruled on an electoral petition filed by Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu. Waititu had contested Kidero’s win in the heated 2013 polls, but the case was dismissed by Supreme Court.

On their part, two Jubilee leaders from Murang’a County have come out to strongly support the decision by the JSC committee saying it is the surest way to get to the bottom of the bribery claims facing Justice Tunoi.

The six-member committee, led by Public Service Commission chair Prof. Margaret Kobia further indicated: “Whether or not there is material to suggest that a bribe was given to the Hon. Justice Philip Tunoi in order to influence the decision in Supreme Court election petition No. 18/2014 Evans Odhiambo Kidero and 4 others – Vs – Ferdinand Waititu Ndungu and 4 others to favour the petitioner, the commission is satisfied that this is an issue that requires further investigations by the tribunal.”

On his part, Judge Tunoi has maintained that the bribery allegations leveled against him are motivated by succession wars within the Judiciary.

Justice Tunoi also attributed the claims to efforts by 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.

Tunoi’s woes began after Geoffrey Kiplagat, a former KASS FM presenter, alleged that the judge had received Ksh202 million from Kidero – a bribe that was meant to ensure that he obtained a favourable ruling from the court.

Waititu now wants the decision confirming Kidero as Nairobi Governor quashed and investigations launched into the bribery claims against Tunoi.

Kidero has however denied the bribery claims saying he has never met Kiplagat nor Justice Tunoi.