Chief Justice Martha Koome on Wednesday announced the dismissal of Principal Magistrate Patrick Wambugu from office for gross misconduct.

In a statement to newsrooms, CJ Koome said that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) resolved to send Magistrate Wambugu packing after accusations of irregularly altering bond terms that resulted in the release of an accused person who had been charged with the defilement of a six-year-old minor. 

"The accused person has since jumped bail," read the statement in part. 

At the same time, five petitions have been filed to oust Environment and Land Court judge Justice Mohammed Noor Kullow from office for alleged violations of the Constitution and the judicial service code of conduct.

Koome further noted that the commission on May 31, 2023, resolved to initiate Kullow's proceedings to oust him for inordinately delaying or failing to deliver rulings or judgements in a total of 116 matters.

On February 22, 2024, a panel considering the proceedings presented its findings satisfied the commission that three out of the five Petitions as well as the proceedings at the Commission’s motion had disclosed grounds for the removal of Kullow from office.

Two petitions were however dismissed for failure to disclose sufficient grounds for removal. 

A proposal has been submitted to President William Ruto to form a tribunal.

CJ Koome further noted that the commission has made a significant process in processing complaints and petitions received against judges since January 2023 to date.

She noted that out of 85 complaints filed 37 were dismissed on grounds that they were based on the merits or decisional independence of a Judge. 

"Of the remaining petitions, 30 are pending preliminary evaluation before the Commission, 11 are awaiting responses from Hon. Judges concerned, 3 petitions have been admitted for hearing and 4 petitions have been forwarded to the president for appointment of a tribunal," said Koome.

Additionally, four disciplinary cases against judicial officers from the office of the Chief Justice were also made in the same period which led to the dismissal of one officer.

One disciplinary case was dismissed for insufficient evidence while the remaining two are ongoing.