A Senior Principal Magistrate attached to Kangema Law Courts and a probation officer are set to face corruption charges after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved their prosecution over an alleged bribery scheme. The case has also prompted Chief Justice Martha Koome to temporarily relieve the magistrate of judicial duties as investigations continue.
Highlights
- DPP approved corruption charges against a Kangema magistrate and probation officer.
- The duo allegedly demanded KSh170,000 to influence a court sentence.
- EACC arrested them during an operation after they allegedly received KSh150,000.
- Chief Justice Martha Koome suspended the magistrate from judicial duties.
- The two will appear before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court.
Main Story
DPP Clears Corruption Charges
The Director of Public Prosecutions has approved charges against Kangema Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua and Probation Officer Julius Irungu following investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), investigators submitted an inquiry file which, after review, was found to contain sufficient evidence linking the two suspects to alleged bribery.
Alleged Bribe for a Lighter Sentence
Investigators claim that Irungu approached a businessman from Murang’a County, saying he was acting on behalf of Magistrate Kinyua.
He allegedly demanded KSh170,000, promising that the money would secure a favourable probation report that would result in a non-custodial sentence instead of jail time.
The businessman had been convicted on July 2, 2026, in a case involving obtaining money by false pretences and was due for sentencing on July 22.
EACC Sting Operation
The EACC says the two suspects were arrested on July 21 during a sting operation at a restaurant in Kangema Township.
They were allegedly caught receiving KSh150,000 from the complainant, leading to their arrest.
Both are expected to appear before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court to face charges of conspiracy to commit a corruption offence and receiving a bribe.
Judiciary Responds
Following the arrests, Chief Justice Martha Koome directed that Magistrate Kinyua be relieved of his judicial duties while investigations and disciplinary proceedings continue.
She reiterated that the Judiciary maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and unethical conduct.
Koome also clarified that the temporary removal from duty does not determine guilt but allows the legal and disciplinary processes to proceed independently.
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The case now moves to court, where the allegations will be tested as Kenya’s anti-corruption agencies continue their efforts to uphold accountability in public office.
