Kangema probation officer freed on Sh400,000 bail as court summons co-accused magistrate after missing plea

The magistrate was arrested alongside a Probation Officer over allegations of soliciting and receiving a Sh170,000 bribe to help secure a non-custodial sentence through a favourable probation recommendation rather than a custodial sentence. (Handout)

By Lucy Mumbi
Tuesday, July 28, 2026

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Meanwhile, the Court has summoned Principal Magistrate Mutegi to appear on July 30, 2026, for plea-taking after he failed to appear in court as scheduled.

The summons were issued after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested the court to compel the magistrate to attend the proceedings. His lawyer informed the court that Mutegi was unable to appear because he was unwell.

Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa granted the prosecution’s request and directed that Mutegi appear before the court on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 9:00 am for plea-taking and further directions.

“Regarding the second accused person, the prosecution has sought the issuance of summons and the request is granted accordingly; summons shall be issued requiring the second accused, that is Martin Kinyua Mutegi, to appear before this court on July 30, 2026, at 9 am for plea and further directions,” the court ordered.

According to the charge sheet, Mutegi is expected to face charges of receiving a bribe contrary to Section 6(1)(a) as read with Section 18(1) and (2) of the Anti-Bribery Act No.47 of 2016.

The DPP approved bribery charges against the two after an EACC investigation found sufficient evidence to prosecute them. The ODPP said a review of the inquiry file established grounds to charge them with receiving a bribe contrary to the Anti-Bribery Act.

“Consequently, the DPP has directed that the two suspects be charged immediately before a court of competent jurisdiction,” the ODPP said in a statement.

The charges followed an EACC operation in Kangema town where the two officers were allegedly arrested while receiving Sh150,000 from a complainant.

EACC said the investigation began after a Murang’a businessman, who had been convicted in a case of obtaining money by false pretences and was awaiting sentencing, reported that Njogu had demanded Sh170,000 in exchange for a favourable outcome.

The Commission said Njogu allegedly claimed to be acting on behalf of the magistrate and assured the businessman that the money would secure a favourable probation report and help him avoid a custodial sentence.

Following the arrests, Chief Justice Martha Koome suspended Mutegi from duty as the Judiciary began administrative and disciplinary processes.