6 Judges Rejected By Uhuru Kenyatta Demand Apology, KSh 23m Compensation: “We Suffered”

• Six judges who were declined appointment by retired president Uhuru Kenyatta are seeking an apology and monetary compensation from the state
• The judges argue that they were never given an explanation for not being confirmed and suffered public humiliation because of allegations against them
• The six judges include Korir Weldon Kipyegon, Muchelule Aggrey Otsyula, Odunga George Vincent, Prof. Joel Mwaura Ngugi, Makori Evans Kiago and Cheruiyot Omange Judith Elizabeth

Nairobi - The six judges who retired president Uhuru Kenyatta declined their appointment are seeking an apology and monetary compensation from the state.

In a court affidavit signed by Justice Aggrey Muchelule, the judicial officers argued that they were never given an explanation for not being confirmed in July 2019.

The judges state that they were publicly humiliated because of allegations by Uhuru and other state officers against them.

"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," read the court documents in part.

The six judges included Korir Weldon Kipyegon, Muchelule Aggrey Otsyula, Odunga George Vincent, Prof. Joel Mwaura Ngugi, Makori Evans Kiago and Cheruiyot Omange Judith Elizabeth

The court of appeal Judges also want to be compensated for the loss of yearly salary increment during the period amounting to KSh 3.9 million each.

The Environment judges are also seeking to be paid KSh 3.7 million each, bringing the total amount to at least KSh 23 million in compensation.

Why Uhuru rejected 6 judges

The six were among 40 judges and magistrates the Judicial Service Commission had seconded for promotion.

However, after witnessing the swearing-in of 34 others, Uhuru said his decision to refuse the nomination was purely based on integrity.

In what appeared to be an indirect response to his critics, the former head of state hinted intelligence reports from state organs could have also influenced him.

Despite the growing anger, Uhuru insisted he would always be guided by integrity to choose that which is right over convenient for the sake of posterity.

"Just like you today, I too took an oath, it is not open to me to turn a blind eye to reports of our state organs. I will choose the hard over the easy, and I am not doing this for myself but for the people of Kenya and posterity," he stated.

Ruto appoints 6 judges

On Tuesday, September 14, President William Ruto signed an executive order appointing the six judges that Uhuru had rejected.

The judges were sworn into office on Wednesday, September 13, in an exercise held at State House Nairobi.

The event was graced by, among others, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Chief Justice Martha Koome, her deputy Philomena Mwili and former Chief Justice David Maraga.

In his speech, Ruto called on the Judiciary arm of government to expedite the determination of graft cases.