A Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court magistrate Rose Ndombi has recused herself from a graft case involving former Kangema Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi, citing their longstanding professional and academic ties.
Magistrate Rose Ndobi declined to hear the case in which Mutegi is accused of conspiring with probation officer Julius Irungu to solicit a bribe in exchange for a favourable report and ruling.
In her decision, Ndobi said her longstanding working relationship with Mutegi could potentially influence her handling of the matter.
She disclosed that the two studied law together and were admitted to the Roll of Advocates and later into the Judiciary on the same day.
Ndombi, however, clarified that her decision to step aside should not be construed as an admission of actual bias or a conflict of interest.
She said the decision followed careful introspection and was intended to safeguard public confidence in the administration of justice.
The magistrate consequently directed that the case file be returned to Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa for further directions and reallocation to another magistrate.
