Kenya’s deputy chief justice arrested on graft charges

By Magdalene Mukami

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenya's Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has been arrested on charges of corruption on Tuesday, an official said.

In a news conference, Nurdin Haji, the director of Public Prosecutions, accused the high-ranking Supreme court judge of tax evasion, abusing her office and receiving bribes.

"The evidence shows she accepted a cash gift, undermining public confidence in the integrity of her office and failed to pay taxes," Haji said.

The arrest of such a high-ranking judicial official has never been witnessed in Kenya's history.

Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to fight corruption after several scandals in government offices and Ministries erupted earlier this year.