Fresh legal trouble is facing Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) approved bribery charges against him following investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The decision comes days after Mutegi and Senior Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu were arrested in an anti-corruption operation.
The two officers, who were serving at Kangema Law Courts, are now expected to face prosecution after investigators presented evidence that prosecutors believe is sufficient to support criminal charges.
According to the ODPP, a review of the investigation file established that there was enough evidence to charge both suspects with the offence of receiving a bribe under the Anti-Bribery Act.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Igonga subsequently directed that the two be arraigned before a competent court without delay.
The charges stem from allegations that the two officials sought and received money from individuals involved in court matters. Investigators claim that Julius Irungu initially requested a bribe of Ksh170,000 in exchange for helping secure a favourable sentence for a convicted person.
The allegations further state that Martin Kinyua Mutegi later solicited and received Ksh150,000 from a litigant with the promise of influencing the outcome of a criminal case.
The prosecution’s move followed the appearance of the two suspects before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, where corruption-related charges were presented.
The case has attracted significant public attention because it involves judicial officers entrusted with upholding justice and fairness within the legal system.
The circumstances surrounding Mutegi’s arrest also drew attention.
After initial developments in the case, reports indicated that the magistrate went into hiding, prompting efforts by EACC officers to locate him. Investigators eventually tracked him down. It later emerged that he had admitted himself to hospital.
Although he had earlier been released on bond, he was rearrested ahead of his latest court appearance.
The allegations have also triggered action within the Judiciary. Following his arrest, the Judicial Service Commission, led by Chief Justice Martha Koome, suspended Mutegi from his duties.
The Judiciary also launched administrative and disciplinary proceedings to examine the allegations and determine whether further action is necessary.
Chief Justice Koome reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to accountability and stated that the institution would fully cooperate with investigators handling the matter. The suspension and disciplinary process are expected to run alongside the criminal proceedings.
The case now moves to court, where prosecutors will seek to prove the allegations against the two officials.
The matter is likely to remain under close public scrutiny because of its implications for integrity and public confidence in the justice system.
