Suspended Kangema Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi has denied allegations that he solicited and received a Sh150,000 bribe to influence the sentence of a convicted businessman.
Mutegi appeared before Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa on Monday, August 24, 2026, where he pleaded not guilty to two corruption charges linked to the alleged bribery scheme.
The prosecution alleges that Mutegi requested Sh170,000 between July 16 and July 21, 2026, through Kangema Law Courts Principal Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu, allegedly to influence the sentence in a criminal case before him.
Mutegi is accused of receiving Sh150,000 on July 21, 2026, through Njogu as part of the alleged arrangement. The prosecution claims the money was intended to secure a favourable sentence for the convicted businessman and help him avoid a custodial term. The alleged offences are said to have occurred in Kangema Township, Murang’a County. Mutegi’s plea was taken after Chief Magistrate Barasa rejected an application by his lawyers to defer the proceedings pending the determination of a separate application before the High Court.
The defence had argued that the plea-taking should be delayed because of a constitutional petition challenging Mutegi’s prosecution. However, Barasa ruled that there was no court order stopping the Anti-Corruption Court from proceeding with the case. Mutegi was subsequently released on Sh400,000 cash bail or an alternative Sh800,000 bond. He was also ordered not to directly or indirectly interfere with prosecution witnesses during the trial.
The case stems from a complaint by the businessman, who told investigators that Njogu had approached him claiming to be acting on Mutegi’s behalf. Njogu allegedly demanded Sh170,000 and indicated that the money would help secure a favourable probation report and sentence. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission later conducted a sting operation, leading to the arrest of Mutegi and Njogu at a restaurant in Kangema Township on July 21, 2026, after the alleged receipt of Sh150,000.
The allegations also led to disciplinary action against Mutegi within the Judiciary. Chief Justice Martha Koome, acting as chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission, suspended him on July 22 and commenced disciplinary proceedings under the Judicial Service Act. Mutegi’s co-accused, Principal Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu, had earlier denied two counts of receiving a bribe and was released on Sh400,000 cash bail or an alternative Sh800,000 bond.
The case will return to court on September 7, 2026, for pre-trial directions.
