Sharad tribunal ends probe into Justice Tunois conduct

A tribunal tasked with investigating the conduct of retired Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi has wrapped up its probe after the judge was forced into retirement last week.

The tribunal chair Sharad Rao said on Monday that they could not continue with the probe, aimed at investigating bribery allegations against Justice Tunoi, following last week’s ruling by the Supreme Court that the judge should vacate office, having surpassed the 70 years retirement age.

Rao stated that though the tribunal was yet to call other witnesses in the hearing, including the perceived whistleblower Geoffrey Kiplagat and Justice Tunoi, it will have to wrap up, though not before presenting a report of what they have gathered so far to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Tunoi had been accused by former journalist Geoffrey Kiplagat of receiving Sh200 million from Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to issue a verdict in his favour in an election petition filed by fellow aspirant and now Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu at the Supreme Court.

The matter was taken up the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) which set up a six-member committee, led by Head of Public Service Prof Margaret Kobia, to investigate corruption allegations against the Judge, with its findings being handed back to JSC for consideration.

Upon receiving the report from JSC, President Uhuru Kenyatta suspended Justice Tunoi and formed the Shard-led team to probe his conduct in February this year.

@benjaminwafula