The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has confirmed that it has located Kangema Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi at a hospital, following his disappearance after being released on police bond.
Mutegi faces allegations of conspiracy to commit corruption and receiving a bribe. According to the EACC, the magistrate admitted himself to the hospital after evading authorities.
Mutegi was scheduled to be arraigned at Milimani Law Courts alongside Julius Irungu Njogu, a Principal Probation Officer accused of soliciting a Sh150,000 bribe from a litigant to influence a court case. Both were arrested last week and released on Sh50,000 police bonds pending further investigations.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved charges against the two, leading to the re-arrest of the probation officer. The EACC has pledged to take all necessary legal steps to ensure Mutegi appears in court.
The case involves allegations that the suspects requested Sh170,000 from businessman Peter Njihia Njuguna, who was previously convicted in Kangema Chief Magistrates Court.
Following the public disclosure of the arrests, Chief Justice Martha Koome suspended Magistrate Mutegi from judicial duties while disciplinary proceedings under the Judicial Service Act continue. This suspension is without prejudice to the ongoing criminal investigation.
