The Chief Justice (CJ), David Maraga has urged newly sworn members who would investigate the conduct of three suspended judges to do so without prejudice.
The 11 member tribunal is chaired by Justice Alnashir Visram. It will investigate the conduct of Justices, Lucy Njoki Waithaka (Environment Land Court), Njagi Marete (Employment Labour Relations Court) and Martin Mati Muya (High Court).
Speaking on Wednesday during the swearing in of the tribunal appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to investigate the misconduct of three judges, Justice Maraga commended the tribunal members for their appointment and urged them to carry out the investigations fairly.
“Do your duty without fear or favour bearing in mind that you’re serving the people of Kenya. It is your duty to say if the accused judges are guilty or not,” he said.
The CJ further noted that the tribunals were key in investigating the conduct of the accused judges as mandated by the Constitution.
“Article 168 of our Constitution states that if there are issues with a judge’s conduct that are raised and thought to be against the spirit of the Constitution, a tribunal is appointed to investigate and make findings,” Maraga noted.
Justice Visram assured Kenyans that the tribunal would do its best to investigate the judges.
“We assure all Kenyans that we shall perform our duties faithfully in accordance with the oath we have taken today and we hope we will conclude these investigations as expeditiously as possible,” Visram said.
The Members of the tribunal, include Justice retired Festus Azangalala, Mr. Ambrose Weda, Mr. Andrew Bahati Mwamuye, Ms. Lucy Kambuni, Ms. Sylvia Wanjiku Muchiri and Ms. Amina Abdalla.
Others who took oath were Lead Counsel, Paul Nyamodi and assisting Counsel, Stella Munyi. Messrs. Peter Kariuki and Josiah Musili will be the joint secretaries.
By Shirim Mercy/ Ian Munjuga
