Uhuru suspends judge, forms tribunal to probe him

By Standard Digital Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta has suspended Justice Joseph Mutava and formed a tribunal to probe his conduct following recommendations by the Judicial Service Commission.

In a statement on Thursday, the Head of State said suspension of Justice Mutava followed recommendation by JSC for him to set up a tribunal to investigate allegations of breach of rules conduct and ethics.

“The suspension from office as Judge of the High Court of Kenya is with immediate effect pending the outcome of a Tribunal that will be appointed,” stated the statement.

In March, JSC recommended that President Uhuru forms a tribunal to probe Justice Mutava over allegation of corruption, bias and incompetence.

The complaint against the judges, some lodged by the Law Society of Kenya involved Goldenberg related cases against businessman Kamlesh Pattni.

JSC stated that it had cleared the judge of eight out of the 11 allegations but had found sufficient grounds to petition the President to form a tribunal to probe his conduct in three complaints.

In a statement signed by JSC Vice Chair Prof. Christine Mango, JSC stated that it started the inquiry in December last year and gave the judge a chance to respond to the allegations before making the recommendation.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) had logged complaints against Justice Mutava before JSC.