By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 28 July 2026 - The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered the immediate prosecution of a senior magistrate and a senior probation officer over alleged bribery, in a major anti-corruption move targeting judicial officers.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga approved charges against Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi of Kangema Law Courts and Senior Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu after determining that investigators had gathered sufficient evidence to sustain a criminal case.
The decision follows the submission of an inquiry file by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which investigated allegations that the two public officers received a bribe.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said the suspects will be charged with receiving a bribe, contrary to Section 6(1), as read together with Section 18(1), of the Anti-Bribery Act.
"Upon an independent and thorough review of the inquiry file, the DPP has established that there is sufficient evidence to charge the two suspects," the ODPP said.
The DPP subsequently directed that the two be arraigned without delay before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The prosecution marks one of the latest corruption cases involving officers within the justice sector and underscores renewed efforts by investigative and prosecutorial agencies to stamp out graft in institutions entrusted with dispensing justice.
More from Kenya
Although the ODPP did not disclose the nature of the alleged bribe or the amount involved, the case is expected to attract significant public interest given the senior positions held by the accused.
The prosecution stems from investigations conducted by the EACC, Kenya's lead anti-corruption agency, whose findings were forwarded to the DPP for legal review and action.
The ODPP reiterated that it would continue pursuing corruption cases where evidence meets the threshold for prosecution.
"The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions remains committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding public interest, promoting fair administration of justice and ensuring accountability where criminal conduct is established through investigations," the statement said.
If convicted, the two officials will face penalties prescribed under the Anti-Bribery Act, adding to the growing list of public officers being prosecuted as the government intensifies its war against corruption.