Uhuru Sacks High Court Judge Over Corruption

Uhuru said those institutions to fight corruption need to be strengthened and not weakened. True to his words, President Uhuru Kenyatta finally fired High Court Judge Joseph Mutava after a nearly two-year-long recommendation.

Uhuru made the revelations during his State of the Nation address that took place in Parliament on Thursday.“Indeed, I have this morning executed the legal instrument revoking the appointment of a High Court Judge recommended for removal of corruption-related offences.

“Even with the success we have made, we cannot celebrate! Kenyans have spoken loudly and challenged us to eradicate corruption,” stated Uhuru.

Outgoing High Court Judge Joseph Mutava, was awaiting the dismissal after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) sent a recommendation to Uhuru to sack him on September 20, 2016.

The Supreme Court bench, which was chaired by the Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, upheld the recommendation to show the judge the door which had been prepared a tribunal lead by CJ David Maraga.

“We hold that Justice Mutava’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct contrary to Article 168 (l)(e) of the Constitution. For the avoidance of doubt, the tribunal’s recommendation to the President for his removal from office under Article 168 (7) (b) of the Constitution is affirmed,” ruled the Supreme Court.

The ruling followed an appeal the judge had lodged in the court accusing the tribunal of being openly biased and defying rules of natural justice.

Through his lawyers, Kyalo Mbobu and Philip Nyachoti, Mutava argued that he was denied a fair trial after all his objections against procedural defects were dismissed. This, he continued, compromised the judicial proceedings.