The Judiciary in Kenya has once again found itself at the center of a corruption scandal as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) launches investigations into alleged bribery involving Stellah Bonareri Nyaboke Atambo, the Chief Magistrate at Thika Law Courts.
The accusations paint a grim picture of a judicial officer who, instead of upholding justice, allegedly turned her courtroom into a marketplace where justice was bought and sold to the highest bidder. The scandal, which also implicates a court clerk named Patrick Njeri Muriithi, raises serious questions about the integrity of those entrusted with delivering justice in Kenya.
According to EACC, multiple complaints have been received accusing Atambo of demanding and receiving bribes from accused persons facing criminal charges in her court. The bribes were allegedly funneled through Muriithi, who acted as her middleman in the corrupt dealings. It is reported that money changed hands on multiple occasions, further entrenching suspicions of a well-organized bribery scheme within Thika Law Courts.
This kind of corruption not only undermines the justice system but also denies ordinary citizens the fair hearing they deserve. When a magistrate, who is supposed to be impartial, allegedly engages in such activities, it creates a dangerous precedent where the law becomes meaningless, and the rich or well-connected can simply buy their way out of trouble.
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, EACC officers raided the residences of both Atambo and Muriithi in an operation aimed at gathering evidence. During the search, investigators found Ksh2,070,000 in cash hidden inside a laptop bag at Atambo’s residence.
The fact that such a large sum of money was stashed away in her home raises serious doubts about the source of her wealth, especially for a public officer earning a government salary. The commission strongly suspects that the recovered money is part of the bribes collected in exchange for favorable rulings in court cases.
Additionally, various documents were seized, which EACC believes will provide further proof of the bribery scheme that has been running under Atambo’s watch.
Following the raids, both Atambo and Muriithi were taken to EACC headquarters for questioning. They were required to explain the source of the money and respond to the allegations leveled against them.
EACC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Abdi A. Mohamud confirmed the operation, stating that the commission remains committed to fighting corruption in the judiciary and other public offices.
While such statements sound good in theory, the reality is that corruption has deeply entrenched itself in Kenya’s judicial system. The public has long lost trust in magistrates and judges who prioritize bribes over fairness. Cases like this only reinforce the belief that justice is not for the poor but rather for those who can afford to buy it.
If the allegations against Atambo are proven true, she should not only be removed from office but also prosecuted to set an example for others.
A magistrate engaging in bribery is worse than a criminal because she is entrusted with power and uses it to exploit the vulnerable. The judiciary cannot claim to be independent when its officers are allegedly busy collecting bribes instead of upholding the law. Cases like this should serve as a wake-up call that corruption within the judiciary is a serious crisis that needs to be tackled urgently. The public deserves magistrates who deliver justice without expecting envelopes of cash under the table.
If Atambo thought she was untouchable, she may soon realize that no one is above the law.
