Chief Justice David Maraga suspends Kiambu Principal Magistrate Brian Khaemba following recommendations by the Judiciary Ombudsman.
Brian Khaemba, the Kiambu Principal Magistrate, was today, suspended over his actions on the issuance of a Sh. 500,000 anticipatory bail to Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu. The magistrate had issued these orders when, supposedly, on sick leave.
Maraga, in his suspension letter, questions why the magistrate turned up to only deal with one issue on a day he was supposed to be away from work.
“It was public knowledge that Mr. Khaemba was on sick leave as the same was announced to litigants during the morning briefing,” a letter by Mr. Maraga to Mr. Khaemba reads.
The magistrate issued an Sh500,000 anticipatory bail to Governor Waititu on May 23, a move that drew widespread criticism as it was viewed as an effort to derail the war on corruption.
The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission have accused Mr. Waititu of involvement in the irregular award of tenders valued at Sh588 million, fraudulent acquisition of public funds, conflict of interest and money laundering.
