Immediate arraignment: ODPP approves charges against Senior Principal Magistrate

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi was arrested by the EACC on July 21 alongside a senior probation officer

- The ODPP reviewed the inquiry file and found sufficient evidence to charge both suspects under the Anti-Bribery Act

- Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Igonga ordered the immediate arraignment of the two Kangema Law Courts officials

TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has five years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has cleared the way for bribery charges against a senior magistrate and a probation officer following a sting operation conducted last week.

Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi, stationed at the Kangema Law Courts, was arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on 21 July, together with Julius Irungu Njogu, a senior probation officer at the same court. Both were taken into custody following what the EACC described as a targeted anti-corruption operation.

ODPP Finds Sufficient Evidence to Charge

After the EACC completed its preliminary investigations and forwarded the findings to the DPP, the prosecution authority conducted an independent review of the inquiry file.

"Upon an independent and thorough review of the inquiry file, the DPP has established that there is sufficient evidence to charge the two suspects with the offence of Receiving a Bribe, contrary to Section 6(1) as read with Section 18(1) of the Anti-Bribery Act," the ODPP said in a statement.

Immediate Arraignment Ordered

Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Igonga subsequently directed that the two suspects appear before a court without delay.

"Consequently, the DPP has directed that the two suspects be charged immediately before a court of competent jurisdiction," the ODPP statement added.

The charges relate to the offence of receiving a bribe under Kenya's Anti-Bribery Act, which prescribes penalties for public officials who solicit or accept corrupt payments in connection with their official duties.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.