The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested a Senior Principal Magistrate attached to Kangema Law Courts and a Principal Probation Officer over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe from a litigant in exchange for influencing the outcome of a criminal case.
The suspects, identified as Martin Kinyua Mutegi, a Senior Principal Magistrate at Kangema Law Courts, and Julius Irungu Njogu, a Principal Probation Officer, were arrested July 21, 2026, during an undercover operation at a restaurant in Kangema Township, Murang’a County.
According to the EACC, the arrests followed a complaint by a Murang’a businessman who alleged that after being convicted on July 2, 2026, in a case involving obtaining money by false pretences, he was asked to pay a bribe to avoid a custodial sentence.
The businessman was scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2026.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the probation officer allegedly approached the complainant claiming to be acting on behalf of the magistrate and demanded Sh170,000. He allegedly assured the businessman that the money would secure a favourable probation report that would influence the court to impose a non-custodial sentence instead of a jail term.
Following the complaint, EACC detectives mounted a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of the two suspects as they allegedly received Sh150,000 from the complainant.
The suspects were held at Nyeri Central Police Station and are expected to be processed at the EACC Central Regional Office before being presented in court.
This is the latest such sting operation to be staged and involving senior officials.
The anti-graft agency said investigations into the matter are ongoing.
“EACC reiterates its commitment to tackling bribery at service delivery points and enhancing the quality of public services for all citizens,” the Commission said in a statement.
The two could not respond to the claims on Wednesday morning as they were in custody. Their lawyers flocked the station seeking to know the way forward.
If charged, the two officials will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations in court.
This comes amid campaigns against corruption in the country.
Police officer injured after accidental shooting at Riruta AP Camp
