A tribunal probing the conduct of High Court judge Justice Said Chitembwe has found him guilty of gross misconduct and recommended his immediate ouster.
The 12 member tribunal, chaired by appellate judge Mumbi Ngugi, was formed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 19, 2022 to re-evaluate the evidence that formed basis of the Judicial Service Commission’s decision to recommend the removal of Justice Chitembwe.
Other members of the tribunal included lawyer James Ochieng’ Oduol, Senior Counsel Fred Ojiambo, Labour Relations Court judge Nzioki wa Makau and High Court judge Abida Ali Aroni among others.
The embattled judge was suspended by President Uhuru Kenyatta following recommendations by the Judicial Service Commission that approved his ouster from office on May 4, 2022.
“Upon consideration of the petition of the Judicial Service Commission, together with its annexures, His Excellency has suspended Justice Chitembwe Judge of the High Court of Kenya, from office with immediate effect,” reads the notice from former President Uhuru Kenyatta at the time.
The tribunal whose other members included Senior Counsel Kiragu Kimani who served as lead counsel assisted by Edward Omotii Nyang’au and Joseph Gitonga Riungu returned a guilty verdict and presented it’s recommendations to President Ruto who promised to act on the same.
