In a letter copied to the council of governors (COG), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Judicial Service Commission (JSC) by concerned coffee farmers, Advocate Manyonge Wanyama of Manyonge and Wanyama Advocates is being accused of salivating for blood money from suffering coffee farmers.
The letter in our possession reads,
" We are aware of a plan by a section of Coffee value chain mainly Commercial Millers and Marketers to attempt to frustrate the coffee reform process through our Honorable Courts by bribing our Honorable Judges financially so as to rule against The Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations, 2019 and nullify them in the Case Number E401 of 2021 lodged at the Nairobi Court of Appeal through a Co-operative Society known as Rwama Farmers Co-operative Society and other cases that will be lodged in other High Courts.
We are aware that the plans to have a case lodged in Meru High Courts are at an advanced stage and Justice Patrick is expected to rule against The Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations, 2019, a ruling which will enable Foreign-owned Multinationals to continue oppressing and taking advantage of our labour.
We raise to you that the money you will be given is coffee farmers money as these marketers will simply undervalue/underpay or exaggerate milling losses of our coffee to raise you and the judge’s bribe.
Wakili, we remind you that our Hon. Justice swore in the name of the Almighty God to diligently serve the people and the Republic of Kenya and to impartially do Justice in accordance with the Constitution as by law established, and the laws and customs of the Republic, without any fear, favour, bias, affection, ill-will, prejudice or any political, religious or other influence. In the exercise of the judicial functions entrusted to you. He swore at all times to the best of his knowledge and ability, protect, administer and defend this Constitution with a view to upholding the dignity and the respect for the judiciary and the judicial system of Kenya and promoting fairness, independence, competence and integrity within it. "
The copied institutions are yet to respond to the complaint.
This is not the first time the law firm is being linked to corruption.
In 2019, Tom Ojienda and Lawyer Peter Wanyama were arrested over the scandals linking them to the troubled Mumias Sugar Company. It is alleged more than Sh200 million was lost in suspected corrupt deals at the firm.
Later, Advocate Peter Wanyama became a state witness against his former partner, according to DPP Noordin Haji.
https://nyakundireport.com/coffee-cartels-raise-ksh15-million-bribery-kitty-to-fight-coffee-reforms/
It should not be forgotten that Peter Wanyama was among the lawyers holding a fierce campaign against the anti-money laundering bill.
Wanyama questioned the constitutionality of the Bill and faulted the inclusion of lawyers as reporting persons, arguing that it exposes their confidentiality with clients.
He further told Parliament to anticipate a mouth-watering legal duel in court over a bid to amend the proposed legislation to seal loopholes exploited by firms and individuals to launder money or make suspicious transactions. View document