•JSC says it will require the former governor’s attendance to testify as a witness in the aforesaid matter which will proceed for the oral hearing on December 14 at 9 am.
•However, the JSC has warned against skipping the summons because it's an offence to disobey commission orders.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been summoned by the Judicial Service Commission to testify on judge Said Chitembwe’s leaked videos.
In a letter signed by Chief Registrar Ann Amadi, JSC has directed Sonko to appear before the commission in seven days to record a statement.
“In the meantime, the commission shall require him to appear in person at the JSC offices to record your statement on the circumstances surrounding this matter,” the letter reads.
The commission says its attention has been drawn to several video clips, social media posts and cell phone recordings released by Sonko in which Justice Chitembwe’s conduct as a judge has been questioned.
“Consequently, the JSC resolved to initiate proceedings against Chitembwe on its motion pursuant to the provisions of Article 168 of the constitution,” the commission said.
JSC said it has resolved to appoint a panel to hear the matter.
The commission says it will require the former governor’s attendance to testify as a witness in the aforesaid matter which will proceed for the oral hearing on December 14 at 9 am.
However, the JSC has warned against skipping the summons because it's an offence to disobey commission orders.
“Take notice that pursuant to the provisions of sections 46 part VIII of the Judicial Service Act no. 1 of 2011, it’s an offence for any persons to disobey any order made by the commission or a committee,” the commission said.
Meanwhile, two petitioners who had filed a petition in September seeking the removal of Judge Chitembwe from office have been directed to appear on the same day for hearing.
The commission has told Imgard Beige and David Olekilusu that the petition was tabled to them on Tuesday this week and upon deliberation, it was resolved that the judge should respond to it.
The judge has been given 14 days from the date of service to respond to the said allegations relating to a Malindi succession case No.97 of 2015 in the matter of the Estate of the late Peter Warner vs Jane Kyengo.
The letter further states that the commission has further resolved that both the judge and the petitioners be invited to appear before the commission for an oral hearing of the petitions in December.
“You are hereby requested to furnish the commission with any documents that you may wish to rely on during the hearing and a list of witnesses who shall testify in support of the petition,” the letter says.
The commission has said they each have a right to be accompanied by an advocate of their own choice during the entirety of the proceedings.
“You shall be granted an opportunity to cross-examine the petitioners and their witnesses,” the letter reads.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris