Tunoi-tribunal to visit scene of bribery Wednesday

The tribunal investigating suspended Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi will Wednesday morning visit a petrol station along Waiyaki Way in Westlands where it is alleged that a bribe of 200 million shillings was given to him.

On Tuesday morning, a police officer told the Sharad Rao-led tribunal that the main accuser of the Judge, Geoffrey Kiplagat, once sought their assistance to help him recover 30 million shillings from Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.

Corporal Peter Kimutai Too says Kiplagat had gone to the CID headquarters where he wanted officers to threaten or harass Kidero to pay him his money after helping broker a deal with the judge.

The police officer has, however, told the tribunal that Kiplagat did not record a statement over the matter.

Tunoi’s lawyer Fred Ngatia also cross-examined a senior police officer based at CID headquarters, Stanley Cheruiyot, who was also allegedly approached by Kiplagat for assistance to recover the money from Kidero.

Kiplagat accuses Justice Tunoi of receiving 200 million from Kidero to rule in his favour in an election petition.

About two weeks ago, Tunoi’s defense team led by Counsel Ngatia sought to discredit Kiplagat’s earlier testimony and affidavit.

Tunoi’s defense team urged Kiplagat to come clean on allegations that Justice Tunoi purchased two parcels of land and two tractors in Uasin Gishu County after receiving the alleged bribe from Kidero.

Tunoi says, should Kiplagat and his accomplices in the saga prove he owns the two parcels of land; he would be ready to resign from the bench and hand over the said land.

Kiplagat denied an earlier claim that he told judiciary officials he wanted Ksh 30 Million to finish the case.