Corrupt dealings send 8 magistrates home after vetting

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The Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board has sacked officials who failed integrity test required of their positions.

The Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board on Tuesday sent eight magistrates packing following vetting that detailed shocking financial impropriety.

The board reckons that some magistrates could not explain huge sums of money in their bank accounts.

Others did not withdraw any money from their salary accounts for up to two years and could not satisfactorily explain other sources of income.

Bungoma magistrate Stephen Onsiero Mogute, for example, failed to withdraw a single cent from his salary account between January 2007 and December 2008, arguing that the family survived on the wife’s business that was said to generate Sh15,000 monthly.

“The board finds that his explanation of surviving on his wife’s earnings does not hold water,” said board chairman Sharad Rao on Tuesday, adding that Mr Mogute’s writing skills were below par.

Others dismissed are Bernard Mwai Mararo (Kyuso), Thomas Nzioki (Lodwar), Bernard James Ndeda (Thika), Philip Wambua Mutua (Narok) and Grace Ayuma M’mmasi (Vihiga). Also sacked were Stella Bonareri Atambo (Narok) and Tito Maoga Gesora (Machakos).

“Of the 36 magistrates that were vetted in the last two months, the board has declared eight unfit to serve in the Judiciary. The board has taken a zero tolerance to any financial impropriety in the Judiciary,” Mr Rao said.

Ms Atambo was dismissed for failure to report to the Judicial Service Commission an attempt by a court clerk to bribe her. Mr Mararo and Mr Kasora were sent home for operating a law firm after being hired by the Judiciary.

Mr Nzioki who was serving in Lodwar, illegally withdrew court money for his own use while Ms M’mmasi is said to have feigned ignorance of a bribery complaint against her before the JSC.

“The magistrate’s inability to recall the details of a complaint that led to the deferment of her promotion for over two years cannot be believed,” Mr Rao said of Ms M’mmasi.

Mr Ndeda is accused of demanding a Sh50,000 bribe through an advocate friend. The board was not satisfied with his explanation.

The board is in Kisumu to vet another 16 judicial officers above the rank of principal magistrate.