EACC
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a Senior Principal Magistrate attached to the Kangema Law Courts and a Principal Probation Officer over allegations of soliciting and receiving bribes from a litigant in exchange for influencing the outcome of a criminal case.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 22, EACC said the two suspects were arrested on Monday, July 21, 2026, during a sting operation at a restaurant in Kangema Township after they allegedly received Ksh150,000 from a complainant.
“The suspects, Hon. Martin Kinyua Mutegi, a Senior Principal Magistrate at Kangema Law Courts, and Julius Irungu Njogu, Principal Probation Officer, were arrested on 21st July 2026 at a restaurant within Kangema Township following an operation mounted by the Commission,” EACC stated.
The anti-graft body said the operation was launched following a complaint by a businessman from Murang’a County, who claimed he had been convicted on July 2, 2026, in a criminal case involving obtaining money by false pretences. The businessman was scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2026.
According to EACC, preliminary investigations established that the probation officer allegedly approached the complainant, claiming to act on behalf of the magistrate, and demanded Ksh170,000.
In return, the officer allegedly promised to secure a favourable probation report that would result in a non-custodial sentence instead of a prison term.
In return, the officer allegedly promised to secure a favourable probation report, resulting in a non-custodial sentence rather than a prison term.
Acting on the complaint, the EACC mounted an operation that culminated in the arrest of the two suspects as they allegedly received Ksh150,000, part of the amount that had reportedly been demanded.
“EACC mounted an operation that culminated in the arrest of the two suspects while receiving Kss150,000 from the complainant,” EACC stated.
The two suspects are currently in custody at the Nyeri Central Police Station and will be processed this morning at the EACC Central Regional Office.
