Top Judiciary officers axed controversially

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has sacked at least five senior judiciary officers under controversial circumstances, The Standard on Saturday can report.

In what could open vicious boardroom battles in the sensitive institution, Deputy Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Kakai Kissinger, Director of Human Resource and Administration Dismas Obondo, Director, Supply Chain Management Martin Okwata and Director, Information Communication Technology Tom Atak were sent packing on December 19.

On Tuesday this week, their positions together with that of Director of Finance Benedict Omollo were advertised in local dailies just a day after most of the affected officials picked their dismissal letters. By the time of going to press, some officers had not picked their letters.

"The letter just mentions gross misconduct as the reason for dismissal. What is gross misconduct? This is just a witch hunt which we will fight back," said a sacked officer who sought anonymity.

Credible sources at the Judiciary told The Standard on Saturday the move emanated from ongoing investigations into mismanagement allegations against the five officials.

But some of the affected officials who spoke to us on condition of anonymity say due process was not followed prior to their dismissal and now threaten to move to court to challenge JSC's decision.

"I don't believe due process was followed in my case." one of the officers who was not comfortable with being named said.

Okwatta who was away from Nairobi said he will pick his dismissal letter after the holidays.

Asked if he was satisfied with the move, Okwatta said: "I am away from Nairobi and will pick my letter after the holidays. I do not want to comment on anything right now...I just want to digest everything. I want to sit and cool down before I know the next course of action."

Mr Omollo admitted having received his letter but could not comment further on the matter. Similarly, Kissinger said he was away in western to attend to personal matters and will be picking his letter on Monday.

It will be remembered that former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Gladys Shollei was last year controversially ousted after two months of a back and forth process of inquiry into alleged financial impropriety. One of the officers said their ouster is part of a continued fight to ' do away with those who worked with Mrs Shollei.'

In April this year, Chief justice Willy Mutunga ordered the interdiction of Kissinger, Obondo, Okwata and Atak.  Mutunga said their interdiction was meant to avoid conflict of interest as investigations into procurement, court construction, recruitment and promotion among other issues continued.

Director of Public Affairs and Communication at the Judicary Mr Naim Bilal said JSC would be in a position to comment better on the matter.

Efforts to contact JSC's Registrar Winfrida Mokaya were unsuccessful as she could not respond to our calls and text messages.  When Ms Mokaya finally picked our calls she said: "Sorry, I cannot respond...I am driving."