High Court senior staff linked to forgery claims

Several senior and support staff in the Judiciary, including Eldoret High Court’s three senior officials, have been questioned by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers for allegedly approving fake documents to secure the release of suspects in courts.

Two of the court officials have recorded statements in connection with rampant cases of fake documents being presented in Eldoret courts for bond approval.

Also on the radar are three magistrates who reportedly proceeded on leave alongside some support staff after learning they are wanted over alleged involvement in the scam.

Acting Uasin Gishu Director of Criminal Investigations Linah Kabaila said her officers have recorded statements from several senior and support staff in the Judiciary over claims they were conspiring to defeat justice by presenting forged documents as surety to secure the release of suspects facing serious criminal offences.

Write a report

“My officers have questioned several staff at the Judiciary to shed more light on their involvement in the approval of bond using fake documents to secure the release of suspects facing criminal offences in courts,” she said.

Kabaila said some of the fake documents being presented in Eldoret courts and approved by rogue Judiciary staff include land title deeds, medical letters, car logbooks and P3 Forms.

Speaking to  People Daily in Eldoret, Kabaila said the affected judicial officers— who took leave after her officers swung into action— will be summoned for questioning when they resume duty.

“It cannot be by coincidence that several senior and support staff have taken their leave at once when they are required for grilling and statement taking over their links to the approval of fake documents to facilitate the release of suspects in courts,” she said.

The DCI officer said once they record statements from all persons of interest in the matter, they will write a report and send it to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for action.

She said two people implicated in the forgery of land title deeds and using the documents as a bond to secure the release of suspects have been charged with the offence.

The suspects, Patrick Ambetsa and Fred Kemoi, denied 11 counts related to forgery when they appeared before Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo last week.

Probe scheme

They are said to have forged a title deed for 0.302 hectares of land and presented it to Wairimu to stand as surety for Isaac Kiptarbei, who is facing a criminal case.

The two are out on a bond of Sh100,000 each pending the mention of the case today.

DCI detectives arrived at the Eldoret courts two weeks ago where they have been camping, and were joined by the Judiciary ombudsmen to probe the forgery scheme.

“We have also interrogated a number of the senior and support staff in connection with the mysterious disappearance of court files in a trend that has slowed down the dispensation of justice in the courts,” said an officer, who declined to be named.