PANA
Nairobi, Kenya – A Kenyan High Court has barred a tribunal appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to investigate six Judicial Service Commissioners from commencing its probe.
High Court judge George Odunga also directed the six commissioners to remain in office and carry on with their duties pending the determination of the case filed by Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
JSC had complained to the court that the departmental committee of the Parliament had acted unconstitutionally and in disregard of a court order that barred it from debating and presenting its findings for adoption by the House.
The court order, issued on 30 Nov., was directing the departmental committee from debating a petition filed by Riungu Nicholas Mugambi, a private citizen seeking the removal of the six commissioners.
But to the JSC’s chagrin, the order was not obeyed by the committee or the National Assembly which adopted the report and forwarded it to the president.
By its directive, the High Court has effectively suspended the Gazette notice appointing the tribunal headed by retired Justice Aaaron Ringera.
On 29 Nov., President Kenyatta established the four-member tribunal to investigate the conduct of Commissioners Ahmednasir Abdullahi, Samuel Kobia, Christine Mango, Mohamed Warsame, Emily Ominde and Florence Mwangangi.
“I ask that the tribunal work to complete its task fairly and expeditiously so that the Commission and indeed the entire Government can continue the work necessary to deliver justice to all Kenyans without compromise,” Kenyatta said in a statement.
