The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi with receiving a bribe, paving the way for the prosecution of the judicial officer following a recent High Court decision.
Mutegi, who is attached to Kangema Law Courts, was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Magistrate’s Court alongside a Senior Probation Officer based at Kangema. The magistrate, who had recently been suspended by his employer, denied the charges brought against him.
According to the Office of the DPP, Mutegi faces a charge of receiving a bribe contrary to Section 6(1), as read with Section 18(1), of the Anti-Bribery Act, among other charges.
The prosecution follows a High Court ruling that declined to grant conservatory orders sought by Mutegi in a petition that had been opposed by the DPP.
The decision effectively cleared the way for the prosecution to proceed with the case against the magistrate, leading to his subsequent arraignment and plea-taking.
During the proceedings, the court granted Mutegi a bond of KSh800,000 with a surety of a similar amount. He was also given an alternative cash bail option of KSh400,000.
The prosecution did not oppose the bail terms. However, the court directed Mutegi not to interfere with witnesses in any manner as the case proceeds.
The plea-taking was secured by a prosecution team led by Assistant Directors of Public Prosecutions Duncan Ondimu, OGW, David Ndege and Eliphas Ombati.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Peninah Mwaniki, alongside Prosecution Counsels Abdisalam Bore and Anne Charlotte, also represented the prosecution during the proceedings before Hon. Harrison Barasa Omwima.
The DPP said the case will return to court on September 7, 2026, when it will come up for mention and further directions.
The charges against Mutegi come amid continued scrutiny of corruption allegations involving public officials and the prosecution of cases before Kenya’s anti-corruption courts.
Mutegi and his co-accused remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until the prosecution proves the allegations against them in court.