Five magistrates axed over big cash deposits

What you need to know:

  • Apart from lack of competency, the board noted an increase in the number of magistrates who used their positions to misuse and harass staff working under them.

Five magistrates were Friday declared unfit to continue serving in the Judiciary in the ongoing vetting.

The five out of the 16 vetted were found guilty of engaging in a raft of malpractices including corruption, incompetence and conflict of interest.

Their sacking brings to 25 the number of magistrates sacked so far by the vetting board. A total of 154 officers have so far been vetted.

Speaking to the media in Nairobi yesterday, vetting board chairman Sharad Rao raised the alarm over the number of incompetent judicial officers and lack of internal independence when hearing and determining cases. He also said that some of the magistrates and judges had poor oral and writing skills and that their “understanding of the law was wanting.”

“Several magistrates are holding positions in an acting capacity and it would seem that the ‘acting’ positions were fast tracked. Some were promoted within three months of their previous promotion and thus lack the competency to hold these positions,” said Mr Rao.

Apart from lack of competency, the board noted an increase in the number of magistrates who used their positions to misuse and harass staff working under them.

More to go
“A magistrate must act in a manner that upholds the image and dignity of the court and must refrain from any acts that may lead to perception of bias on his part,” noted Mr Rao.

This is the 10th announcement by the board since it began vetting on February 2011.

It still has 215 magistrates and two judges to vet.