Supreme Court okays Said Chitembwe's removal from office
National
By
Fred Kagonye and Kamau Muthoni
| Dec 28, 2023
Justice Said Chitembwe during an interview at Standard Group town office in Nairobi on November 17, 2021. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]
The Supreme Court okayed the removal of Justice Said Chitembwe from office.
In a decision delivered on Thursday, December 28, Supreme Court Judges Mohamed Ibrahim, Njoki Ndung'u, Smokin Wanjala, William Ouko and Isaac Lenaola dismissed Chitembwe's appeal.
He had gone to the apex court to protest a decision by a tribunal that had been formed to probe allegations levelled against him.
The tribunal was formed after the Judicial Service Commission recommended his removal from office.
His grounds for removal were Lack of impartiality, Lack of integrity, Lack of accountability, involvement in corrupt practices, and impropriety.
Others were Subversion of justice through commenting and advising a litigant on matters pending in court, Lack of professionalism and conduct unbecoming of a judge and Non-disclosure of conflict of interest.
The revelations came after former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko implicated him in a bribery scheme.
The tribunal which was formed by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta was chaired by Justice Mumbi Ngugi.
Its members included High Court Judge Ali Aroni, Labour Court Judge Nzioki wa Makau, Senior Counsel Fred Ojiambo and Lawyer Ochieng Oduol.
Others are former Deputy Commander of the Airforce Lt General Jackson Ndung'u, and former Teachers Service Commission chairperson Lydia Nzomo.
Senior Counsel Kiragu Kimani served as the lead counsel with Jasper Mbiuki and Sarah Yamo serving as joint secretaries with Joseph Riungi and Edward Omitii as assisting counsels.