The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has recommended the removal of High Court judge Justice Said Chitembwe after reviewing petitions against him.
In a statement today the JSC notes that it is satisfied with the results of an investigation carried out on the judge following petitions filed against him and further sending the report sent to President Uhuru Kenyatta for action
“At its meeting of April 27, 2022, the JSC considered the report of the panel on the petition initiated by the Commission on its own motion and is satisfied that the petition discloses grounds for the removal of Hon. Mr. Justice Chitembwe Said Juma from office, pursuant to the provisions of Article 168(1) of the Constitution,” JSC said.
As required by law, the commission stated it had transmitted its proposal to President Uhuru Kenyatta for action.
The main complaint, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, accused the judge of corruption.
After Sonko revealed video clips, social media posts, and cell phone recordings accusing Chitembwe of corruption, the JSC began proceedings against him on November 22.
Chitembwe denied the claims at the time, claiming that he had been unfairly singled out.
Sonko was also summoned by the JSC on November 25 to testify as a witness in relation to videos he posted tying Chitembwe to corruption.
Several petitions were filed with the JSC, including one by Sonko’s aide Francis Wambua, all of which demanded an investigation into the judge’s actions.
In the petition filed Wambua said that the judge should be investigated for accepting bribes to influence the result of cases involving Sonko.
The bribes were allegedly handled through the judges’ brother, Amana Saidi Jirani, he claimed.
Chitembwe was given two weeks to answer to petitions by the JSC.
The commission’s chair, Chief Justice Martha Koome, wrote to the judge on November 22 and requested that he files his reply within 14 days.