Chief Justice nominee David Maraga has refuted claims that he favoured a man who he shares ethnicity with during his tenure as a judge in Nakuru High Court.
Maraga appeared before Parliament's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee where petitioners had challenged his nomination
Petitioner Emmanuel Korir accused the judge of malice in a case regarding the killing of the then Ainamoi MP David Too, on January 31, 2008.
The petitioner said Maraga reduced the murder charge to manslaughter leading to a 10-year imprisonment.
Maraga, however, said his verdict was based on law.
"This was an unfortunate issue but as a judge I go to court and deal with cases based on evidence and the law," he said.
"I could not just excuse myself because the accused was a Kisii like me. I was dealing with self-defence and provocation.
"The person who filed the petition against me was not known to me personally. The only similarity is we come from same ethic group." he added.