By PETER NG’ETICH pngetich@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Thursday, January 5 2012 at 22:30
Posted Thursday, January 5 2012 at 22:30
The truth team has denied reports that Mr Bethuel Kiplagat is back at the commission as the chairman.
Acting chairperson Tecla Namachanja said Mr Kiplagat has to be cleared by a tribunal looking into his conduct to determine whether he is eligible to head the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission.
“TJRC wishes to clarify that Ambassador Kiplagat has not resumed his duties as chair but continues to await the outcome of a tribunal into his suitability as chair of the commission,” Ms Namachanja said.
“The mandate of the tribunal set up by the former Chief Justice lapsed pending the determination of a court case brought by Mr Kiplagat challenging it. While he has since withdrawn his suit challenging the tribunal, issues that led to the setting up of the tribunal have not been resolved.”
She pointed out that the tribunal had not reported back its findings and that the appointing authority had not made any decision, and therefore Mr Kiplagat could not resume his duties.
She said the commission had neither received any official communication from the Ministry of Justice concerning the former chair nor held any discussion on the matter.
Ms Namachanja said the commission was due to begin hearings at the Coast and did not want another round of unnecessary squabbles.
“The commission was too far advanced in the execution of its mandate to have its work derailed by another round of sideshows surrounding the credibility of the chair.”
She said they had held hearings in most parts of the country in which 530 witnesses had testified. The commission had received more than 30,000 statements and 600 memoranda from communities.
On Wednesday, Mr Kiplagat, who is under investigation over allegations of misconduct reportedly carried out unspecified duties in his office from around 9am to 1pm.
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