Kenyan president suspends senior judge over bribery claims

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday suspended a senior judge and appointed a seven-member tribunal to investigate the claims that he received 2 million U.S. dollar bribe.

Kenyatta said in a statement released in Nairobi that the team chaired by Judges and Magistrate Vetting Board chairman Sharad Rao will probe Supreme Court judge Phillip Tunoi's conduct over claims he took the bribe to help deliver a favourable ruling on a lawmaker's petition against Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero in August 2014.

State House had said on Monday that a tribunal would not be formed pending the determination of Justice Tunoi's appeal on his retirement.

The Kenyan president was required to suspend Justice Tunoi within a two-week period that elapses Tuesday midnight.

According to legal experts, the Kenyan leader would have acted in violation of the Constitution if he failed to meet the two-week deadline.

"I reiterate my commitment and fidelity to the Constitution of Kenya, and confirm that I will continue to uphold and defend it, as I have from the first day I took oath of office as president. Nothing less should ever be expected from me and the office I hold in trust of Kenyans," Kenyatta said. Endit