Citizen TV's Linus Kaikai Praises Sonko 2 Years After Leaked Chitembwe Audio

Citizen TV anchor and Royal Media Services (RMS) Director of Innovation and Strategy Linus Kaikai recounted intricate details of a past meeting with former Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko who had presented to him audio recordings and documents implicating embattled High Court judge Said Juma Chitembwe.

Speaking on his kicker during the Newsgang segment on Thursday, February 9, Kaikai revisited a phone call with Sonko whereby he asked him if he had any evidence regarding the allegations of corruption in the Judiciary, to which he responded by stating that he was armed with every bit of evidence to support his case.

At first, Kaikai was unsure of whether to trust the contents of the evidence Sonko presented to him, admitting that it sounded like cruel fiction.

However, it was after Sonko played the recordings that his perception of the evidence would change.

"The case Sonko brought to our attention involved High Court judge Said Chitembwe. And I must admit that at the time, most of it read like cruel fiction. My pinch of salt graduated to a handful when Sonko played the recordings of what now turns out to be the true account of the conduct of justice Said Chitembwe, as now confirmed by a tribunal that this week recommended his removal from the Judiciary.

"On the day, my editorial cautiousness was at its best and as rules of journalistic gut dictate, whenever in doubt – do not publish.  I still could not place the contents of the recordings against the fact that justice Said Juma Chitembwe had even made the shortlist for Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya," he stated.

Sonko would later go on to expose the recordings on his social media accounts in 2021, which triggered a nationwide uproar and prompted former President Uhuru Kenyatta to form a tribunal to investigate Chitembwe.

The former county boss would eventually be vindicated when the tribunal recommended the removal of Chitembwe and presented its report to President William Ruto for further action.

Kaikai further uncovered how the tribunal found out about Chitembwe's inappropriate conduct during Sonko's impeachment case which involved shocking bribery activities within the judicial system.

"Then there is this little equally disturbing detail in the tribunal findings; that another judge received Ksh30 million to step in to deliver judgment on behalf of justice Chitembwe in a succession case involving the same parcel of land justice Chitembwe had an interest in.

"The tribunal findings make for real disturbing reading. It paints the bench as a Mafiosi gangland where justice is traded like a commodity for top dollar and top dirhams!" he added.

According to Kaikai, the tribunal report raised serious questions about the integrity of the judiciary, and he went on to pose whether Justice Chitembwe was just the tip of the iceberg and who else might be involved in corruption in the Judiciary.

"Chitembwe may be dismissed as a single rotten apple but as a rural boy, I know exactly how long the stench of a passing skunk lingers in the air – and for that reason, the bench in the judiciary should beware that the Chitembwe smell will hang over their collective robes for a while.

"To the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and Chief Justice Martha Koome, shake that tree and tell us how many more like Chitembwe continues to fraudulently introduce themselves as justice…and to Mike Sonko who the social media dismisses as a recording artist, keep pressing that red button. I will doubt you less next time," he concluded.

President Ruto announced on Tuesday, February 7 that he would take action on the recommendations of the tribunal which asked him to initiate the removal of Judge Chitembwe.

He was suspended on May 18, 2022, by former President Uhuru who appointed a 12-member tribunal to probe allegations of gross misconduct against the judge and determine his suitability.

The tribunal was formed following a recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) that Justice Chitembwe is removed from office over leaked videos that depicted him in a scheme to compromise an active court case.

President William Ruto receives a report by Justice Mumbi Ngugi on the findings of the tribunal that recommended the removal of Justice Said Chitembwe from office. /TWITTER.OLIVER MATHENGE