The Judiciary has relieved a Senior Principal Magistrate attached to Kangema Law Courts of his judicial duties after his arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe to influence the outcome of a criminal case.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, who also chairs the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), announced the move in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the Judiciary had already commenced administrative and disciplinary proceedings against the judicial officer in accordance with the Judicial Service Act and the institution’s human resource policies.
The action follows the arrest of Hon. Martin Kinyua Mutegi, a Senior Principal Magistrate at Kangema Law Courts, alongside Julius Irungu Njogu, a Principal Probation Officer, during an EACC sting operation on Tuesday.
Koome: Judiciary will not shield corruption
In her statement, Chief Justice Koome described the allegations as serious, saying that if proven, they would amount to a grave breach of the law, the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the constitutional values governing the administration of justice.
“The allegations are grave and, if proved, constitute a serious violation of the law, the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the values that underpin the administration of justice,” she said.
Koome reiterated that the Judiciary maintains a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and unethical conduct, stressing that judicial authority must always be exercised with integrity, impartiality, transparency and accountability.
“The Judiciary has consistently maintained a policy of zero tolerance to corruption and all forms of unethical conduct,” she said.
She added that public confidence in the courts depends on judicial officers upholding the highest ethical standards.
“Any conduct that undermines public confidence in the administration of justice strikes at the very foundation of the Judiciary.”
‘You cannot dispense justice with one hand and commit crime with the other’
In one of the strongest remarks contained in the statement, the Chief Justice said judicial officers are expected to exemplify the rule of law both inside and outside the courtroom.
“I have consistently stated that Judges, Judicial Officers and members of staff cannot discharge justice with one hand and commit a crime with the other,” Koome said.
She emphasized that although every accused person is entitled to due process, the Judiciary will neither shield nor tolerate criminal conduct within its ranks.
“While every person against whom allegations are made remains entitled to due process, the Judiciary will not shield or condone criminal or unethical conduct by any person serving within its ranks.”
Magistrate relieved of judicial duties
Koome confirmed that the Judicial Service Commission had already initiated the necessary disciplinary mechanisms pending the outcome of criminal investigations.
“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,” she stated.
She added that the Judiciary would fully cooperate with the EACC and other investigative and prosecutorial agencies as they pursue the matter.
EACC bribery allegations
According to the EACC, the arrest followed a complaint by a Murang’a businessman who had been convicted on July 2, 2026, in a criminal case involving obtaining money by false pretences and was awaiting sentencing scheduled for July 22.
Investigators allege that the probation officer approached the complainant claiming he was acting on behalf of the magistrate and demanded KSh170,000 to secure a favourable probation report that would result in a non-custodial sentence.
The anti-graft agency subsequently mounted a sting operation that led to the arrest of the two suspects while allegedly receiving KSh150,000 from the complainant.
Following the operation, the suspects were detained at Nyeri Central Police Station before being processed at the EACC Central Regional Office ahead of their arraignment.
Renewed scrutiny on judicial integrity
The latest incident has once again placed the spotlight on corruption within Kenya’s justice sector, an area the Judiciary has repeatedly pledged to clean up through disciplinary action, digitisation of court services and strengthened internal oversight.
Over the years, the Judicial Service Commission has disciplined and removed several judicial officers over allegations ranging from corruption and abuse of office to gross misconduct.
The Judiciary has also encouraged members of the public to report any suspected acts of corruption involving judges, magistrates and court staff through the Office of the Judiciary Ombudsman, the Judicial Service Commission or investigative agencies such as the EACC.
Commitment to accountability
Chief Justice Koome concluded by assuring Kenyans that the Judiciary remains committed to protecting the integrity of the courts and preserving public confidence in the justice system.
“I wish to assure the people of Kenya that the Judiciary and Judicial Service Commission remain steadfast in safeguarding the integrity of the justice system. We will continue to act firmly, fairly, and decisively against any judicial officer or member of staff whose conduct falls short of the high ethical standards expected of those entrusted with the administration of justice,” she said.
The criminal case against the magistrate and the probation officer is expected to proceed independently alongside the Judiciary’s internal disciplinary process.
