Chief Justice Martha Koome has suspended a Senior Principal Magistrate attached to Kangema Law Courts following his arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over claimed bribery, reaffirming the Judiciary’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption and unethical conduct.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Koome announced that the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had immediately initiated administrative and disciplinary proceedings against the judicial officer following his arrest.

“Consequently, the Judiciary and Judicial Service Commission have commenced the appropriate administrative and disciplinary processes under the Judicial Service Act and the applicable Human Resource policies. 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 by the relevant constitutional agencies,” Koome said.

Her statement came hours after the EACC announced the arrest of Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi and a Principal Probation Officer over accusations of soliciting and receiving a bribe from a litigant in exchange for influencing the outcome of a criminal case.

According to the anti-graft agency, investigators launched an undercover operation after receiving a complaint from a businessman who had been convicted in a criminal case on July 2 and was awaiting sentencing on July 22.

The EACC said the probation officer is reported to have approached the complainant while claiming to be acting on behalf of the magistrate.

The officer is accused of demanding Ksh170,000, promising that the payment would secure a favourable probation report and ultimately result in a non-custodial sentence instead of imprisonment.

“Preliminary investigations established that the probation officer approached the complainant, claiming to act on behalf of the magistrate, and demanded Kes170,000, assuring him that the money would secure a non-custodial sentence through a favourable probation recommendation rather than a custodial sentence,” the EACC stated.

Investigators later mounted a sting operation, leading to the arrest of the two persons of interest while they were receiving Ksh150,000 from the complainant at a restaurant in Kangema Township on Tuesday, July 21. They were subsequently detained at Nyeri Central Police Station.

Reacting to the development, Koome described the accusations as serious, warning that corruption within the Judiciary erodes public confidence in 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.

The Chief Justice reiterated that the Judiciary would not tolerate corruption regardless of the rank of the officer involved.

“The Judiciary has consistently maintained a policy of zero tolerance to corruption and all forms of unethical conduct. Judicial authority is exercised on behalf of the people of Kenya and must always be guided by the constitutional values of integrity, impartiality, accountability, transparency, and the rule of law. Any conduct that undermines public confidence in the administration of justice strikes at the very foundation of the Judiciary,” Koome stated.

She further emphasised that judicial officers are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

Taming corruption in courts

“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. Those entrusted with the administration of justice bear an even greater responsibility to uphold the law and exemplify the integrity they require of others,” she said.

While affirming that the arrested officials remain entitled to due process, Koome stressed that the Judiciary would not shield any officer accused of criminal or unethical conduct.

“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 added.

The Chief Justice also pledged full cooperation with the EACC and other investigative agencies as criminal investigations continue.

“The Judiciary and Judicial Service Commission will accord the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and all other investigative and prosecutorial agencies the necessary cooperation in the discharge of their constitutional mandates,” she said.

Koome concluded by assuring Kenyans that the Judiciary remains committed to protecting the integrity of the justice system.

“We will continue to act firmly, fairly, and decisively against any judicial officer or member of staff whose conduct falls short of the high ethical standards expected of those entrusted with the administration of justice,” she said.

The arrests mark one of the latest high-profile anti-corruption operations targeting officers within Kenya’s justice sector as authorities intensify efforts to safeguard public confidence in the rule of law.