Kenya: Suspended Magistrate Martin Mutegi Summoned to Court After Missing Plea Taking in Graft Case

What the report says

AllAfrica, citing Capital FM, reported that suspended Kangema Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi has been ordered to appear at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court after he did not attend a scheduled plea-taking in a corruption matter. The report says Mutegi is accused of seeking a Sh150,000 bribe in return for helping secure a favourable sentence. He is expected in court on July 30 following the summons.

According to the report, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions told the court that Mutegi had failed to appear. The case surfaced during proceedings involving Julius Irungu Njogu, the Principal Probation Officer at Kangema Law Courts, who was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court. Njogu denied two bribery-related counts under the Anti-Bribery Act.

Prosecutors allege Njogu asked complainant Peter Njihia Njuguna for Sh170,000 on July 16, 2026, saying the money was meant for Mutegi to affect sentencing in Kangema Chief Magistrate’s Court Criminal Case No. E645 of 2024. They further allege Njogu received Sh150,000 on July 21 on behalf of the magistrate for the same purpose.

Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Harrison Baraza released Njogu on Sh400,000 cash bail, with an alternative bond of Sh800,000, after prosecutors did not oppose his release. The court also instructed him to avoid witness interference and attend all proceedings. The case is significant because it involves alleged corruption within the justice system, where judicial officers and court personnel are expected to uphold impartiality and public confidence.