Judiciary Launches Disciplinary Action After Magistrate’s Arrest in Bribery Probe

By Monyonge Kebati

The Judiciary has moved swiftly to begin disciplinary proceedings against a senior judicial officer following his arrest over alleged bribery, reaffirming its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on corruption within the justice system.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Chief Justice and Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Chairperson Martha Koome said the Judiciary had taken note of the arrest of Hon. Martin Kinyua Mutegi, the Senior Principal Magistrate at Kangema Law Courts, together with a probation officer. The two are under investigation over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe in connection with a case that was pending before the court.

Justice Koome described the allegations as grave, saying that if proven, they would amount to a serious breach of the law, the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the core values that guide the administration of justice. She stressed that judicial authority is exercised on behalf of the people of Kenya and must always be anchored on integrity, impartiality, accountability, transparency and the rule of law.

The Chief Justice emphasized that judges, magistrates and judicial staff cannot be expected to administer justice while engaging in criminal or unethical conduct. While noting that every accused person is entitled to due process, she made it clear that the Judiciary would neither shield nor condone misconduct by any officer serving within its ranks.

She announced that the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission had already initiated the appropriate administrative and disciplinary processes under the Judicial Service Act and applicable human resource policies. Pending the outcome of those proceedings, the magistrate will be relieved of judicial duties in accordance with the law, without interfering with ongoing investigations being conducted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and other relevant agencies.

Justice Koome also pledged the Judiciary’s full cooperation with the EACC and prosecutorial authorities, saying the institutions would be given all necessary support to carry out their constitutional mandates. She concluded by assuring Kenyans that the Judiciary remains steadfast in protecting the integrity of the justice system and will continue taking firm, fair and decisive action against any judicial officer whose conduct falls below the high ethical standards expected of the institution.