Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced that the Senior Principal Magistrate at Kangema Law Courts, Martin Kinyua Mutegi, will be relieved of judicial duties pending disciplinary proceedings following his arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged bribery.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 22, Koome described the allegations as serious, saying that if proven, they would amount to a violation of the law, the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the principles underpinning the administration of justice.
“Pending the conclusion of those processes, the judicial officer will be relieved of judicial duties in accordance with the law and established procedures, without prejudice to the ongoing criminal investigations by the relevant constitutional agencies,” read part the statement.
CJ Koome Vows Firm Action After Judicial Officer’s Bribery Arrest
She said the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had already initiated administrative and disciplinary processes under the Judicial Service Act and the applicable human resource policies.
“The Judiciary has consistently maintained a policy of zero tolerance to corruption and all forms of unethical conduct,” Koome said.
She added that judicial authority must be exercised in line with constitutional values, including integrity, accountability, transparency and the rule of law.
Also Read: Koome Counters LSK Over Rogue Judges Boycott as Showdown Looms
The Chief Justice further said the Judiciary would fully cooperate with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and other investigative and prosecutorial agencies handling the case.
Koome maintained that while every accused person is entitled to due process, the Judiciary would not condone criminal or unethical conduct by judges, judicial officers or staff.
On July 22, the EACC announced the arrest of Magistrate Martin Mutegi and Principal Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe from a litigant to influence the outcome of a criminal case.
Also Read: CJ Koome Creates New High Court Division
EACC on Arrest
According to the EACC, the complainant, a businessman from Murang’a County, had been convicted on July 2, 2026, for obtaining money by false pretences and was due for sentencing on July 22, 2026.
The Commission said preliminary investigations established that the probation officer approached the complainant, claiming to be acting on behalf of the magistrate, and demanded KSh170,000 in exchange for securing a non-custodial sentence through a favourable probation report.
The anti-graft agency said it mounted a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of the two suspects on July 21, 2026, while allegedly receiving KSh150,000 from the complainant.
They were subsequently detained at Nyeri Central Police Station pending further investigations.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
