NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 24 – Suspended Kangema Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi has been charged with receiving a bribe, bringing to court a corruption case that has been unfolding since his arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) last month.

📻 Breaking It Down

Mutegi was arraigned before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Monday alongside Senior Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu, following a High Court decision that declined to grant conservatory orders blocking his prosecution.

The magistrate pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include receiving a bribe contrary to Section 6(1) as read with Section 18(1) of the Anti-Bribery Act.

The court granted Mutegi a bond of Sh800,000 with a surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of Sh400,000. The prosecution did not oppose the bail terms.

📌 What You Need to Know

Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa Omwima also directed Mutegi not to interfere with witnesses as the criminal proceedings continue.

The case stems from a July operation by the EACC in which Mutegi and Njogu were arrested at a restaurant in Kangema Township, Murang’a County, after investigators allegedly caught them receiving Sh150,000 in marked money.

The anti-graft agency had received a complaint from a Murang’a businessman who had been convicted of obtaining money by false pretences and was awaiting sentencing.

According to the prosecution’s case, the businessman was allegedly asked for Sh170,000 in exchange for securing a favourable sentence in the criminal matter. The money was allegedly sought through Njogu, who prosecutors said was acting on behalf of Mutegi.

The businessman had been convicted on July 2 and was scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, the day the EACC announced the arrests.

EACC said its operation culminated in the arrest of the two officials while they were receiving Sh150,000 from the complainant.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya