NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12 – The chairperson and members of the tribunal appointed to consider four petitions for the dismissal of Environment and Land Court Judge Mohammed Noor Kullow have taken their oath of office.
Chief Justice Martha Koome who presided over the swearing-in ceremony urged the tribunal to perform its task in accordance with the law.
“Under article 168 of the constitution demands that the tribunal conducts the proceedings transparently, fairly and without any bias,” Koome stated.
The tribunal is chaired by Court of Appeal Judge Patrick Kiage, with Senior Counsel Dorcas Oduor serving as lead Counsel.
It is alleged that Justice Kullow occasioned delay and failed to deliver a specified number of judgments and rulings when he served at the Narok Law Courts.
Other members of the tribunal include Margaret Njoki Mwangi, Anthony Charo Mrima, Jinaro Kipkemoi Kibet, Wanjiku Mwariri, Rukia Abdinasir Mohamed and Charles Mulila.
Additional members are Dorcas Agik Oduor (Lead Counsel), Joint Secretaries: Jasper M. Mbiuki and Collins Kiprono and Assisting Counsels, Emmanuel Omondi Bitta and Georgiadis Majimbo,
Speaking during the swearing in Kiage expressed the tribunal’s readiness to deal with the task ahead.
“We shall bring our combined experience, our combined sense of justice our combined sense of the need for the judiciary to lead up to certain standards but more than anything fairness in the process and move with expedition as we have been asked to do to see that this job and this task is completed,” he stated.
In compliance with President William Ruto’s orders contained in a gazette notice dated March 8, 2024, Justice Kullow is presently suspended and will present his defence before the tribunal led by Justice Patrick Kiage.
This comes after four petitions have been filed against him alleging incompetence, gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution and breach of Judicial Service (Code of Conduct and Ethics) Regulations.
The tribunal is scheduled to start its inquiry promptly. Once completed, it will submit its recommendations to the President, who will then either accept the recommendation and dismiss the judge, or reject it and reinstate the judge.
Article 168(1) of the Constitution outlines specific grounds for the removal of a judge, including incapacity to perform duties due to mental or physical reasons, bankruptcy, violation of the code of conduct, incompetence, and gross misconduct or misbehavior.
