Vetting team sacks three magistrates

Three magistrates were on Tuesday sacked by the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board.

Bungoma Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Njeri Ngugi, Tigania Chief Magistrate Bildad Ochieng’ and Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Lily Monica Nafula were shown the door.

They were among 26 magistrates who were vetted in the past two months.

The board raised concerns about competence, attitude and integrity.

“There is a problem with writing skills, and we continue to point this out to the judicial officers,” said board chairman Sharad Rao.

Mr Rao said in the case of Ms Ngugi, the board found inconsistencies in her banking records. He said her bank statements did not reflect the amounts deposited in November in the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009.

“The explanation by the magistrate was not credible,” said Mr Rao.

He said there were other cash deposits, which the magistrate said were allowances that she was paid when she served on a task force.

“The board finds the banking history does not match the record of activities of the task force as evidenced by minutes. The board finds that there are several large unexplained deposits,” said Mr Rao.

He said the board ruled that Ms Ngugi is not suitable to continue serving as a magistrate.

In the case of Mr Ochieng’, he failed to show up for the vetting on September 8.

“The magistrate did not turn up for vetting. The chief executive officer of the board, Mr Reuben Chirchir, said he was served but had neither responded nor stated that he would not turn up,” said Mr Rao.

Also declared unsuitable is Ms Nafula, after the board received two complaints. One complainant, Mr Benjamin Juma Nyayiemi, alleged that the magistrate maliciously convicted him for contempt.

The other 23 magistrates passed the vetting.