President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday, through a gazette notice dated August 24, 2021, suspended Environment Court Judge Muthoni Gitumbi.
This comes after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) stated that the Lady Justice was unable to perform her duties as judge.
As required by the law, President Kenyatta immediately appointed a seven-member tribunal that will probe Justice Gitumbi's mental status.
JSC made the decision to have Gitumbi removed, after the commission reviewed her past medical records, which they believe, warrant her ejection.
The Head of State in the gazetted appointed Judge Hellen Amolo to lead the tribunal in the probe.
Other members of the tribunal include: Justice Luka Kimaru, Justice Linnet Ndolo, Peter Murage, Martha Nyakado, Dr. Frank Njenga and Dr. Margaret Othieno Makonyengo.
“The mandate of the tribunal shall be: To consider the Petition on removal of the Hon. Lady Justice Mary Muthoni Gitumbi from office on the reason of her inability to perform the functions of office arising from mental incapacity under Article 168 (1) (a),” the gazette reads in part.
Gitumbi's removal comes at the back of queries raised regarding the rulings she has made in prior cases.
On August 23, Chief Justice Martha Koome announced that the judiciary is looking to recruit 50 magistrates in September this year.
This, she noted, will address the issue of backlog cases that has haunted the judiciary.
