Chief Justice Martha Koome has suspended a Senior Principal Magistrate from judicial duties after his arrest over alleged bribery, saying the Judiciary has initiated disciplinary proceedings while reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy on corruption.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Chief Justice Koome said the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had commenced administrative and disciplinary processes against Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi of Kangema Law Courts following his arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The magistrate was arrested alongside Principal Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe from a convicted businessman in exchange for influencing the outcome of a criminal case.
"My attention has been drawn to the statement issued by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) regarding the arrest of Hon. Martin Kinyua Mutegi, Senior Principal Magistrate at Kangema Law Courts, together with a Probation Officer, over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe in connection with a matter pending before the court," Koome said.
She described the allegations as serious, saying that if proven, they would amount to a grave breach of the law, the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the principles underpinning the administration of justice.
"The allegations are grave and, if proved, constitute a serious violation of the law, the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the values that underpin the administration of justice," she said.
According to EACC, the arrests followed a complaint by a businessman from Murang'a County who had been convicted on July 2, 2026, in a case involving obtaining money by false pretences and was due to be sentenced on July 22.
Investigators established that the probation officer allegedly approached the complainant claiming to act on behalf of the magistrate and demanded Sh170,000, promising that the payment would secure a favourable probation report and a non-custodial sentence.
EACC subsequently mounted a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of the two suspects at a restaurant in Kangema Township while they were allegedly receiving Sh150,000 from the complainant.
Koome stressed that judicial officers are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, warning that the institution would not protect officers accused of criminal conduct.
"I have consistently stated that Judges, Judicial Officers and members of staff cannot discharge justice with one hand and commit a crime with the other," she said."While every person against whom allegations are made remains entitled to due process, the Judiciary will not shield or condone criminal or unethical conduct by any person serving within its ranks."
She confirmed that Mutegi would be relieved of judicial duties pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings and criminal investigations.
"Pending the conclusion of those processes, the judicial officer will be relieved of judicial duties in accordance with the law and established procedures, without prejudice to the ongoing criminal investigations," Koome said.
The Chief Justice added that the Judiciary and JSC would fully cooperate with EACC and other investigative agencies, pledging to "act firmly, fairly, and decisively" against any judicial officer whose conduct falls below the ethical standards expected of those entrusted with administering justice.