The Judiciary has relieved a Kangema Senior Principal Magistrate of his judicial duties following his arrest over alleged bribery, with Chief Justice Martha Koome declaring that the institution “will not shield or condone criminal or unethical conduct” by anyone serving within its ranks.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Koome said the decision followed the arrest of Hon. Martin Kinyua Mutegi, a Senior Principal Magistrate at Kangema Law Courts, and Principal Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe in connection with a criminal case pending before the court.
“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,” Koome said.
She reaffirmed the Judiciary’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption, saying judicial authority must always be exercised with integrity, impartiality, accountability, transparency and respect for the rule of law.
“Any conduct that undermines public confidence in the administration of justice strikes at the very foundation of the Judiciary,” she said.
Koome also stressed that judicial officers are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards.
“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,” she said.
While emphasizing that every accused person is entitled to due process, the Chief Justice said the Judiciary would not protect anyone accused of criminal or unethical conduct. She revealed that the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) have commenced administrative and disciplinary proceedings against the magistrate, who will remain off judicial duties pending the outcome of the investigations.
“Pending the conclusion of those processes, the judicial officer will be relieved of judicial duties in accordance with the law and established procedures,” the statement said.
Koome further pledged full cooperation with the EACC, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and other investigative agencies.
The statement follows the EACC’s arrest of Magistrate Mutegi and Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu in a sting operation in Kangema Township, where they were allegedly caught receiving KSh150,000 from a complainant after allegedly demanding KSh170,000 in exchange for securing a favourable probation report and a non-custodial sentence in a criminal case.
