Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) is now at the center of serious allegations involving judicial misconduct and undue influence in a case brought by Charles J. M. Mbuthia.
In a letter dated August 22, 2024 as shared in Francis Gaitho’s Telegram channel, Mbuthia claims his lawsuit at the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) was dismissed under questionable circumstances due to deep-rooted conflicts of interest and bias favoring SCB.
Additionally, Mbuthia alleges that the case, which involved claims of aggravated offenses during his tenure at SCB, was mishandled by judges with close ties to the bank. Initially overseen by Lady Justice Maureen Onyango and later transferred to Justice Byram Ongaya, both judges are accused of partiality that benefited SCB.
Lady Justice Onyango, in particular, is alleged to have refused to recuse herself despite her connections with SCB’s legal team and the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), where she previously worked with key figures in the case.
Page one of Mbuthia’s complaint letter to JSC. Source: Francis Gaitho/Telegram
Also, Mbuthia’s letter also accuses SCB of exerting undue influence within the judiciary, compromising the integrity of legal proceedings.
He claims that SCB officers, who hold official roles in the judiciary, have used their positions to secure favorable rulings. These officers are said to maintain unusually close relationships with judicial figures, leading to biased decisions.
The letter, which was shared on Francis Gaitho’s Telegram channel, has been sent to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
All the same, Mbuthia is calling for an urgent investigation to restore the judiciary’s integrity and prevent similar injustices in the future.
Section of Mbuthia’s letter to JSC. Source: Francis Gaitho/Telegram
This case raises concerns about the independence of Kenya’s judiciary and the potential for corporate influence to erode public trust in legal institutions.
