"He denied": Suspended magistrate charged with receiving bribe, granted bond
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- The DPP charged Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi with receiving a bribe after a High Court declined to grant him conservatory orders
- Mutegi was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Magistrate's Court alongside a senior probation officer from Kangema
- He was granted a bond and warned against interfering with witnesses in the case
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Monday, August 24, 2026, charged the suspended senior principal magistrate, Martin Kinyua Mutegi of Kangema Law Courts, with receiving a bribe, following a High Court ruling that cleared the path for his prosecution.
Mutegi, who had already been suspended by the Judiciary pending the outcome of the matter, appeared before the Anti-Corruption Magistrate's Court alongside a senior probation officer stationed at Kangema, who faces related charges.
The duo was arrested for allegedly receiving a KSh 170,000 bribe to influence a decision in a court matter.
Mutegi denies charges
The magistrate was charged with receiving a bribe contrary to Section 6(1) as read with Section 18(1) of the Anti-Bribery Act, among other counts.
"He denied all charges," ODPP said.
The court released him on a bond of KSh 800,000 with a surety of an equal amount, or an alternative cash bail of KSh 400,000. The prosecution did not oppose the proposed bail terms.
The court additionally directed Mutegi not to interfere with witnesses in any manner. The matter is scheduled for mention on September 7, 2026, for further directions.
Who conducted Mutegi's plea-taking?
The case came to court after the High Court declined to issue conservatory orders that Mutegi had sought in a petition opposing the DPP's move to charge him.
The petition was opposed by the DPP, and the High Court's refusal to grant the orders paved the way for the arraignment to proceed.
Plea-taking was conducted before Magistrate Harrison Barasa Omwima and led by a prosecution team that included Assistant Directors of Public Prosecutions Duncan Ondimu, OGW, David Ndege, and Eliphas Ombati, alongside Principal Prosecution Counsel Peninah Mwaniki and Prosecution Counsels Abdisalam Bore and Anne Charlotte.
JSC initiates disciplinary action against Mutegi
Meanwhile, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) moved swiftly to initiate formal administrative and disciplinary procedures against Mutegi under the Judicial Service Act following his arrest.
Chief Justice Martha Koome confirmed the JSC's actions in a public statement, characterising the allegations as grave. He was subsequently suspended.
She said that, if proved, they would constitute a serious breach of the law, the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the foundational values underpinning the administration of justice in Kenya.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.