Give Kidero a fair hearing, Raila says

Why...he should face the music, RAO you are a pot calling kettle black. When "your" goons are caught in the acts, you dance their tunes. Whilst the opposition slips, you take off the slabs. You are well known.

The bribery claims threaten the careers of Justice Tunoi and Dr Kidero, who is a senior member of

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (left) and lawyer Katwa Kigen at the Supreme Court on February 2, 2016. PHOTO | PAUL OGEMBA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

ODM leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday said Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero deserves a fair hearing over the bribery allegations facing him, even as Deputy President William Ruto rallied Jubilee supporters to vote him out of office.

Dr Kidero is alleged to have given Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi a Sh200 million bribe to rule in his favour in an election petition in 2014.

Mr Odinga’s spokesman, Mr Dennis Onyango, said: “Raila recognises that Chief Justice Willy Mutunga acted swiftly and initiated a legal process. Any other position on this matter will serve no purpose.”

The bribery claims threaten the careers of Justice Tunoi and Dr Kidero, who is a senior member of ODM.

Mr Odinga was referring to investigations by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) into the bribery allegations.

ESTABLISH TRIBUNAL

A special committee investigated the matter and has submitted its report, recommending that a tribunal be set up to look further into the claims. 

Last Friday, Chief Justice Mutunga said the JSC was satisfied that there was “inappropriate interaction and communication” between Justice Tunoi and an agent of a litigant in a matter pending before the Supreme Court.

Mr Ruto, on the other hand, called on Jubilee supporters to reclaim the Nairobi governor’s seat from ODM.

Speaking at the Presbyterian Church of East Africa church in Dandora on Sunday, Mr Ruto urged Jubilee supporters to vote out Dr Kidero.

Mr Ruto was accompanied by the petitioner in the election case, Mr Ferdinand Waititu, now the Kabete MP.