DCJ Philomena Mwilu promises swift justice in NYS cases

Judges handling the cases of the suspected NYS frauds will not drag their feet in serving justice, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu promised, deflecting fears that judicial officials could be plotting to collude with others to oversee miscarriage of justice on the cases.

More than 40 suspects have been charged with defrauding the youth agency of at least Sh468 million in questionable deals. They include suspended Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Lilian Mbogo Omollo and NYS boss Richard Ndubai.

They all denied charges of fraud and abuse of office last week.

JUSTICE

While speaking to journalists in Makueni on Sunday, Justice Mwilu reiterated the commitment of the judiciary to the speedy dispensation of justice on the cases and sought cooperation from those handling the suspects to make that happen.

“Judges and magistrates should be alert to delay tactics and other technicalities that lawyers in these cases are likely to introduce and steer clear of them,” she said.

Over the weekend, President Uhuru Kenyatta led a cross section of the political class in admonishing those implicated in the scam at the youth agency and other government departments.

“Those who steal public money must carry their own crosses,” said the President during Madaraka Day celebrations, recapping sustained angst among most Kenyans following the shocking revelations that the country could have lost at  least Sh9 billion in hazy and questionable dealings.

Ms Mwilu said that judges will be guided partly by the prevailing public mood in the country to expedite on the cases.

“Although the law does not provide the maximum time frame within which criminal cases should be tried as is the case with election petitions, I don’t think there is any judiciary official who is blind to the prevailing mood in the country.

"We all need to fight corruption and the courts will play its role,” said Ms Mwilu. 

EVIDENCE

This however will not oversee the miscarriage of justice as there are sufficient mechanisms in place to insulate the cases from such miscarriages.

She urged the director of public prosecutions and the police to build solid cases against the State officials collaborated with water tight evidence.

The judiciary vice president extolled the importance of whistle blowing in bursting crime waves such as the NYS heists.

Ms Mwilu, who heads the judicial ombudsman, urged members of the public to report corrupt judges and other judiciary officials to her office.

“Once such complaints come to my office complete with supporting evidence, I will not be hesitating to forward such judicial officials to the Judicial Service Commission,” she said.