Uhuru castigates Judiciary over Akasha drug case, again
President Uhuru Kenyatta has termed the conviction of self-confessed international drug trafficker Baktash Akasha and his younger brother Ibrahim Akasha as indictment to corruption in the criminal justice system.
Speaking during the official release of the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Report (SOJAR) 2018-2019 at the Supreme Court Building on Thursday, Uhuru said it exposed the country to shame and ridicule that after many years, the suspects had beaten the justice system in Kenya only to be tried and convicted in United states
“This case is testimony enough of how cartels in cahoot with gatekeepers at the Judiciary, Executive and various state agencies can lead to a direct suffering and death of innocent people,” he said.
Uhuru added: “They had corrupted law enforcement agencies, our prosecutors, national administrators and also judges and magistrates.”
His statements were shared by Chief Justice David Maraga who said: “Recently you spoke about the Akasha case, I agree with you your Excellency. That is a shame to our country, as I have said before, it’s a matter that embarrasses every one of us.”
He added: “But I am sure you have reports and you know how that is done. It is not only the Judiciary that is to blame. Literally all stakeholders in the criminal justice system.”
However, the President insisted that Kenyans cannot help but imagine what happened in the US, should have happened in Kenya.
“I want to say that we will continue working with our foreign counterparts using legal and necessary protocols to ensure that all drug dealers and killers are brought to book,” he noted.
Baktash and his younger brother Ibrahim Akasha were charged for exporting tonnes of heroin to the United States.
They pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to a plea bargain with the office of the Manhattan district attorney.
The Akashas were extradited from Kenya without the knowledge of their families or lawyers despite there being a case in court challenging their extradition.
Baktash has been jailed for conspiring to import and importing heroin and methamphetamine, conspiring to use and carry machineguns and destructive devices in connection with their drug-trafficking crimes.
He has also been sent to prison for obstructing justice by paying bribes to Kenyan officials in an effort to avoid extradition to the United States.
