Suspects appear before Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo in Eldoret. Many judicial officers have been grilled for allegedly using forged documents to release suspects. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Detectives have questioned a number of judicial officers in Eldoret after it emerged that forged documents are being used to release suspects on bail.

The detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have recorded statements from the judicial officers.

Also targeted are some lawyers in private practice who it is alleged work in cahoots with the judicial staff.

Speaking yesterday in Eldoret, Acting Uasin Gishu County DCI Chief Linah Kabaila said her team is eager to get to the root of the forgery claims.

“We have questioned several staff at the Judiciary to shed light over their involvement in the approval of bond using fake documents,” said Kabaila.

According to Kabaila, the documents that are being forged are land title deeds, medical letters and car log books.

She said when detectives stormed the judicial offices to start investigations, a number of the workers took annual leave.

“It cannot be by coincidence that the workers took their leave when they were required to record statements on the forgery claims,” said Kabaila.

She noted that taking leave was futile since when they resume work, they will still be summoned for grilling. “It cannot be a coincidence that several senior and support staff took  leave at the same time.”

She revealed that after her team is done with the probe, it will prepare a report that will be forwarded to Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji for action.