Kangema Magistrate faces Sh150,000 bribery charge over alleged favourable sentence

A magistrate has been arraigned over allegations of receiving Sh150,000 to secure a favourable sentence for a convict.

Suspended Kangema Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi appeared before Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa Omwima on Monday August 24,2026.

Mutegi denied receiving a financial advantage contrary to Section 6(1) as read with Section 18(1) of the Anti-Bribery Act.

The court granted him a Sh800,000 bond with a surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of Sh400,000.

The prosecution did not oppose his release on bail.

Chief Magistrate Omwima warned Mutegi against interfering with witnesses as the case proceeds.

The charges follow an EACC operation in Kangema, Murang’a County, in July, following a complaint by businessman Peter Njihia Njuguna.

Njuguna had been convicted of obtaining money by false pretences and was awaiting sentencing.

The prosecution alleges that he was asked to pay Sh170,000 in exchange for securing a favourable sentence.

According to the prosecution, Kangema Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu allegedly requested the money on July 16 on behalf of Mutegi.

Njuguna had been convicted on July 2 and was due to be sentenced on July 22.

The EACC later arrested Mutegi and Njogu at a restaurant in Kangema Township after the businessman allegedly handed over Sh150,000 in marked money.

Mutegi had earlier moved to the High Court seeking to stop his arrest and prosecution.

Justice Richard Mwongo initially issued conservatory orders suspending the proceedings before the High Court declined to issue further orders blocking the prosecution.

His lawyers subsequently asked the anti-corruption court to defer the plea pending the determination of the High Court matter.

The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that there was no court order preventing the lower court from proceeding.

The Judiciary later suspended Mutegi from duty pending the conclusion of the criminal and disciplinary proceedings.

Chief Justice Martha Koome said the Judiciary had a “zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and unethical conduct,” while emphasising that Mutegi was entitled to due process.

Njogu faces a separate charge of requesting a financial advantage. He was released on a Sh400,000 cash bail or a Sh800,000 bond.

The case will be mentioned on September 7, 2026, for further court directions.

About the Author

Rhoda Bogeta is a Kenyan journalist and multimedia storyteller covering current affairs, human-interest, science and environmental stories, with expertise in reporting, photography, videography and digital content creation. Email: rhodabogeta@gmail.com Instagram : i_am_bogetar X : @I_am_Bogetar LinkedIn: Rhoda Bogeta Tiktok : monique.mora_

Kangema Magistrate faces Sh150,000 bribery charge over alleged favourable sentence

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