- Court of Appeal President Daniel Musinga denied claims that he sent a former student leader to solicit a bribe from a litigant.
- He told the court he has no connection with the accused, Anthony Manyara, and termed the allegations defamatory.
- The bribe, amounting to about KSh872,000, was allegedly offered to influence a civil case outcome.
Justice Daniel Musinga, the head of Kenya’s Court of Appeal, firmly denied accusations linking him to a bribery plot. Appearing as a witness at Milimani Law Courts, the senior judge stated that he had never interacted with the accused and had no knowledge of the civil appeal in question.
“I’ve never met this person and I’ve never authorized anyone to collect money on my behalf,” Musinga testified, adding that the claims are baseless and meant to damage his standing.
Allegations Tied to Civil Case Bribe Attempt
The case revolves around Anthony Muchui Manyara, a former student leader now facing charges of attempting to solicit a bribe from a litigant. He allegedly approached Mary Wagaki Muthumbi, whose civil appeal was pending, claiming he could influence the outcome through connections with Justice Musinga.
The bribe request reportedly included $5,500 for the judge and $1,250 for his personal cut.
Litigant’s Report to CJ Triggered Probe
According to court records, Ms. Muthumbi reported the incident directly to Chief Justice Martha Koome late last year. This report prompted a formal inquiry and later led to criminal charges against Manyara.
Justice Musinga said he first heard of the issue from the Chief Justice, who informed him that a complainant had mentioned his name in relation to a bribe attempt.
“That was shocking to me. I had no idea such a thing was happening,” the judge said in court.
Judge Denounces Plot to Soil Judiciary’s Name
Musinga was clear in his position—he condemned the entire episode as defamatory and aimed at denting the image of the judiciary. He emphasized that he has always upheld the principles of justice and would never engage in such schemes.
His presence in court was a notable move, as it’s rare for a top judge to publicly testify in a corruption-linked matter affecting the bench.
Accused Stands Alone, Denies Charges
Anthony Manyara, who is representing himself, denied the bribery claims and insisted he had no interaction with Justice Musinga. When offered the chance to question the judge, he declined and told the court he had no queries to raise.
Public Keenly Following High-Stakes Case
The ongoing proceedings have attracted public attention, with legal experts noting that Musinga’s direct involvement in court may set a strong example of transparency. His firm rebuttal, they say, reflects an effort to shield judicial independence from manipulation and reputational attacks.
