NEW evidence has emerged that Supreme Court judge Philip Tunoi, who is at the centre of Sh200 million bribery allegations, acquired 180 acres of land recently.
It also emerged that the man who blew the whistle on the bribe affair, Geoffrey Kiplagat, was promised Sh30 million, but was never paid his share. Once the money was paid, virtually all the people involved became hostile to him.
According to sources, the Judiciary tabled a report before the special subcommittee investigating the bribery allegations on Sunday, saying it found that the judge purchased two parcels of land and two tractors recently. The farms are said to be in Uasin Gishu county.
However, the Judiciary did not indicate whether there was any link between the alleged bribery and the properties allegedly acquired.
Judge Tunoi has been accused of receiving Sh200 million to deliver a favourable judgment in the election petition by Ferdinand Waititu, now Kabete MP, against Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, in August 2014.
The Judiciary instituted thorough investigations after receiving the complaint and sought the assistance of different government agencies such as the National Intelligence Service. In its interim report, the NIS confirmed that Tunoi and his accuser were in communication during the hearing of the Kidero petition.
It also emerged yesterday that the Judiciary probe team, met Kiplagat several times to test his facts and they confirmed that the man was consistent in his story.
It is further understood that Kiplagat was picked to broker the deal because he had previously used the same judge to ” fix” some problems, irrespective of the court.
According to other sources, Kiplagat’s friends in the county government knew and trusted him because they had previously worked together to “sort out problems”.
Yesterday the committee, chaired by Prof Margaret Kobia, took evidence from Justice Tunoi and his accuser journalist Kiplagat.
Justice Tunoi, who appeared before the committee at 11am, was accompanied
