The head of Kenya’s Judiciary on Wednesday confirmed that one of its Supreme Court judges contracted swine flu while on assignment in India.
Chief Justice David Maraga said Justice Smokin Wanjala was receiving treatment for the H1N1-Swine flu following hospitalisation.
Maraga said that Wanjala was responding well to the treatment and could possibly be released from the hospital on Wednesday.
“Hon. Justice Smokin Wanjala, who is in India for a Judicial Conference, is hospitalised and is undergoing treatment for the H1N1-Swine flu which also affected 6 Indian Supreme Court Judges. The Judge is making great progress and may be discharged today. Wish him a speedy recovery,” Maraga’s said in a tweet on his official account.
Maraga did not say in which hospital Wanjala was admitted or elaborate on further plans about him returning to the country.
Wanjala’s illness may refocus the spotlight on the Supreme Court’s operations which face questions over a possible quorum hitch.
Wanjala is one of four Supreme Court judges facing a petition to have him removed from office following accusations of gross misconduct and violation of judicial code of conduct in a gubernatorial election petition.
Wanjala has denied the claims and said he was willing to have them investigated so as to clear his name and reputation.
The Judiciary recently denied that speculation over a quorum hitch saying the court is operating normally and firmly on course in discharging its mandate.
