CJ Koome Issues Statement After EACC Arrests Kangema Magistrate
Following his arrest for alleged bribery, Chief Justice Martha Koome has suspended Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi of Kangema Law Courts, effective immediately.
In a statement made on Wednesday, July 22, Koome confirmed that the magistrate and a probation officer were arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on charges of soliciting and receiving bribes in connection with a court case.
“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,” Koome stated in a statement.
According to the Chief Justice, the Judicial Service Commission has also initiated necessary disciplinary actions under the Judicial Service Act and relevant Human Resource policies.
pic.twitter.com/GIXFaQyBGfβ Hon. Justice Martha K. Koome, FCIArb, EGH (@CJMarthaKoome) July 22, 2026
She further emphasised that while every accused person is entitled to due process, the Judiciary would not shield its officers accused of criminal or unethical conduct.
“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,” the CJ added.
“Those entrusted with the administration of justice bear an even greater responsibility to uphold the law and exemplify the integrity they require of others.”
Before adding, “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.”
The move comes after EACC arrested the magistrate attached to the Kangema Law Courts, together with a Principal Probation Officer, over alleged bribery.
According to the commission, the two were arrested in an operation after investigators received a complaint from a litigant in a criminal case alleging they had solicited money in exchange for influencing the outcome of the matter.
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βThe Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a Senior Principal Magistrate attached to Kangema Law Courts and a Principal Probation Officer over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe from a litigant in exchange for influencing the outcome of a criminal case,β the commission said in a statement on Wednesday.
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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a Senior Principal Magistrate attached to Kangema Law Courts and a Principal Probation Officer overβ¦ pic.twitter.com/0vAozoZY1Qβ EACC (@EACCKenya) July 22, 2026
EACC noted that the officer is accused of demanding Ksh170,000 in exchange for a positive probation report that would result in a non-custodial sentence.
The suspects were arrested while allegedly receiving Ksh150,000 from the complainant at a restaurant in Kangema Township.
They were taken into custody at Nyeri Central Police Station, awaiting arraignment in court.
According to the judiciary, it has a zero tolerance policy on corruption, noting that any conduct undermining public confidence in the justice system strikes at the institution’s very foundation.
In her statement, Koome pledged full cooperation with the EACC and other investigative and prosecutorial agencies as they pursue the criminal investigations.
CJ Koome Issues Statement After EACC Arrests Kangema Magistrate
