NAIROBI, Kenya Jul 28 – Suspended Kangema Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi has been summoned to appear before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday after failing to attend the plea taking in a corruption case in which he is accused of soliciting a Sh150,000 bribe in exchange for a favourable sentence. The summons were issued after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) informed the court that Mutegi had failed to appear for plea taking. The alleged bribery scheme emerged as Kangema Law Courts Principal Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court and pleaded not guilty to two counts of receiving a bribe contrary to the Anti-Bribery Act.
According to the prosecution, Njogu allegedly solicited Sh170,000 from complainant Peter Njihia Njuguna on July 16, 2026, claiming the money was intended for Magistrate Mutegi to influence sentencing in Kangema Chief Magistrate’s Court Criminal Case No. Prosecutors further allege that on July 21, 2026, Njogu received Sh150,000 from the complainant on behalf of the magistrate in exchange for securing a favourable sentence in the same case. Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Harrison Baraza released Njogu on a cash bail of Sh400,000 or an alternative bond of Sh800,000 after the prosecution indicated it had no objection to his release.
The court also directed him not to interfere with witnesses and to attend all court proceedings. Mutegi is expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court on July 30 to answer the charges following the issuance of the court summons. 28 – Principal Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu has been charged before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court over allegations that he solicited a Sh170,000 bribe to secure a favourable sentence in a criminal case.
Njogu pleaded not guilty to a charge of requesting a financial advantage contrary to Section 6(1)(a), as read together with Sections 18(1) and 18(2) of the Anti-Bribery Act. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) alleges that on July 16, 2026, while serving as the Principal Probation Officer at Kangema Law Courts in Murang’a County, Njogu requested Sh170,000 from Peter Njihia Njuguna on behalf of Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi. According to the prosecution, the money was allegedly sought in exchange for securing a favourable sentence in a criminal case before the Kangema Chief Magistrate’s Court.
The court released Njogu on a cash bail of Sh400,000 or an alternative bond of Sh800,000 pending the hearing and determination of the case. His co-accused, Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi, did not appear in court after his advocate informed the court that he was unwell. The court directed that Mutegi appear before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on July 30, 2026, to take his plea.
The prosecution of the two judicial officers marks the latest move in the government’s ongoing crackdown on alleged corruption and bribery within the justice sector.
Summary from source