High Court awards 6 unappointed judges Ksh.126 million for violations of Rights

Nairobi, 

Tuesday, 8 October, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

The high court has awarded Ksh.126 million to Six judges rejected by former president Uhuru Kenyatta in 2019 over alleged integrity concerns. 

The huge award comes in form of compensation for violation of their rights.

They include Court of Appeal judges Korir Weldon Kipyegon, Muchelule Aggrey Otsyula, Odunga George Vincent and Prof. Joel Mwaura Ngugi. 

On the other hand, two environment court judges, Makori Evans Kiago and Cheruiyot Omange Judith Elizabeth are among them. 

The six judicial officers led by Justice Aggrey Muchelule, filed a case in 2023,seeking explanation as to why they were never appointed as from July 22, 2019, to September last year when they were officially appointed by President William Ruto following his inauguration into office.

They argued that they suffered public humiliation and now want the office of the President ordered to offer a public apology and clear their names of allegations of being unfit to hold office.

"We suffered public humiliation because of the insinuations created by Uhuru Kenyatta and other public officials to the effect that we were collectively persons not fit to hold the offices of judges in Kenya," they argue in court documents.

The Court of Appeal judges; Korir Weldon Kipyegon, Muchelule Aggrey Otsyula, Odunga George Vincent and Prof. Joel Mwaura Ngugi, sough Ksh.3.9 million each as compensation from the State. On the other hand, the two environment court judges; Makori Evans Kiago and Cheruiyot Omange Judith Elizabeth, sought Ksh.3.7 million each.

This cumulatively totals Ksh.23 million, however the court has rewarded them 126 million instead. 

The six sat on a bench that declared the push to amend the Constitution through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) unconstitutional.

Their rejection was seen as a retaliation by the former president.