EX-Standard Chattered Employee has written a disturbing letter to Chief justice Martha Koome pointing out massive corruption at the Environment and Labour relations court narrating how Justice Moureen Onyango was alledgly bribed by senior Standard Chattered bank bosses to compromise his case.
“Dear Martha Koome, I am writting to bring to your attention significant concerns regarding the handling of my law suit against Standard Chattered Bank at the Employment and Labour relations ,”Mr.Charles J M Mbuthia told the CJ.
The letter, which in our possession further narrates how Lady Justice Maureen Onyango alledgly conflicted and goes on to provide evidence on how things unfolded.
“There is substantial evidence indicating that Standard Chattered Bank (SCB ) has deeply infiltrated the judiciary, leveraging its influence to undermine justice. The bank has failed to comply with a court order issued in my favour. Officers of the bank maintain unusually close relationships with judicial officers. Two such officers hold official roles in the judiciary, impacting the performance of the ELRC,” read the expose’ documents in parts.
Mbuthia further states that a senior official at the bank has been ridiculing the court rulings in public especially when they tend to favour employees.
” A senior executive of SCB who also sits on the bank’s Board of Directors once unrepentantly published remarks denigrating a judiciary ruling unfavourable to employers. The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) seems to be entangled in SCB’s negative influence in the judiciary,” he said.
Another Judge from the labour relations court has also been mentioned but details regarding Justice Moureen Onyango are more damaging.
He told the CJ that he has received some threats inform of displinary actions after his act if revealing the massive rots exhibitted at the bank in his suit.
” I have received Intimidation and Threats which attempted to silence me hence underscoring the lengths to which the bank is willing to go to avoid accountability,” read the court papers in parts.
He further reveals that a certain Judge who doubles as his relative narrated to him how corrupt the judges are including Onyango.
“A close relative, who also serves as a judge at the ELRC, has confided in me about troubling practices within the judiciary, including forum shopping. He commended my efforts to expose these issues and revealed that his colleague appeared conflicted. This judge should be protected for his commendable stance against judicial misconduct. I wish to categorically state that in the preparation and writing of this letter, there has been no collusion, connivance, or undue influence exerted by my relative. His disclosures were made in good faith, solely in the interest of justice, without any intent to influence or interfere with the judicial process” he said.
In the mix is also an advocate who represented the bank whom he accused of misbehaving and taking sides openly in court.
” The Defendant’s Lawyer The lawyer representing Standard Chartered Bank exhibited unethical behaviour by defending a conflicted judge against my recusal request. This conduct raises serious concerns about collusion and the ethical standards of legal representatives in the ELRC,” he told the CJ.
He added that it was because of such cumulative issues that his suit was dismissed under suspicious circumstances and called for serious probe.
” I urgently request the JSC to conduct a thorough investigation into these matters, ensure accountability, and take appropriate actions to restore the integrity of the judiciary,” he added.
Charles Mbuthia had sued the standard chattered bank over unfair dismissal and the case was dismissed. He has since appealed the matter but he says that his letter to the CJ was meant to stop the rots both at the Standard chattered bank and at the Judiciary.
” I want to emphasize that this letter is not intended to influence or prejudice my appeal before the Court of Appeal or any other legal proceedings.
Furthermore, I do not intend to disparage the ELRC as a whole. I recognize that the ELRC includes many honorable judicial officers; however, there appear,” he said.
JSC Letter1
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