The 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 to influence the outcome of a criminal case.
The suspects, Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi and Principal Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu, were arrested on July 21, 2026, during an EACC operation at a restaurant in Kangema Township, Murang’a County.
According to the Commission, the operation was triggered by a complaint from a Murang’a businessman who had been convicted on July 2, 2026, of obtaining money by false pretences and was due to be sentenced on July 22.
Investigators established that the probation officer allegedly approached the complainant claiming to be acting on behalf of the magistrate. He reportedly demanded KSh170,000, promising that the payment would secure a favourable probation report and result in a non-custodial sentence instead of imprisonment. EACC officers mounted a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of the two suspects as they allegedly received KSh150,000 from the complainant.
The suspects are currently being held at Nyeri Central Police Station and are expected to be processed at the EACC Central Regional Office before being presented in court.
The Commission said the arrests underscore its continued commitment to combating bribery within the justice system and other public service institutions, warning that public officers who abuse their positions for personal gain will be held accountable.
