Head of Appeal Court testifies in bribery case

Kenya’s President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Musinga, dismissed a claim of bribery against him when he testified for the prosecution in the Milimani Law Courts this week. According to Standard Media, this was in a case where a former University of Nairobi student leader, Anthony Manyara, allegedly attempted to solicit a Sh1.03m ($10 054) bribe from a litigant while claiming to act on the judge’s behalf. Musinga told the court that he was shocked to learn that Manyara had approached litigant Mary Muthumbi, involved in a pending case at the Court of Appeal, claiming he could influence the outcome in exchange for the money. ‘I do not know the accused person and have never interacted with him in any professional or personal capacity, Musinga testified. ‘I have never sent anyone to collect money on my behalf in any case. Any such claims are false and intended to undermine the credibility of my work and the judiciary,’ he added.

The alleged incident occurred in November 2023 when Manyara allegedly contacted Muthumbi, claiming that Musinga would assist in appointing a favourable Bench to preside over her matter. The DPP claims the student misrepresented himself as having access to the judge in exchange for the bribe. Musinga said the allegations are not only false but also defamatory. Musinga told the court that he had never handled Muthumbi’s case, reports Standard Media. During her testimony, Muthumbi said Manyara demanded the bribe in exchange for judicial favours and named Musinga as his contact. Manyara also allegedly handed her a message, supposedly on behalf of the judge. ‘I asked him, “Are you telling me justice is for sale in Kenya?” I am a Roman Catholic, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He replied that the judicial system is deeply corrupted and that’s why I lost at the High Court.’

Full report on the Standard Media site