The High Court has slammed breaks on the prosecution of Kangema Magistrate Martin Mutegi in a KES 170,000 bribery case.
Martin Mutegi got a reprieve after a High Court judge sitting in Embu prohibited his trial and prosecution for allegedly receiving a bribe of KES 170,000.
Justice Richard Mwongo prohibited police and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers from arresting and presenting the accused in court.
At the same time, Mutegi failed to attend court to plead to the alleged bribery charges due to his admission in a city hospital.
Lawyer Jura Akude presented a medical report signed by a Dr Githiji of Ngara Comprehensive Health Services showing that the magistrate is admitted at the facility
“The second accused is not in court. He is sick and admitted since July 27, 2026,” Mr Akude told the court.
The lawyer further said they are in receipt of Court summons issued by the court on July 27 but it is unfortunate their client cannot attend court due to indisposition.
However, prosecuting counsel Eliphaz Ombati and AbdiSalama Bore told the court that they are in receipt of a High Court order issued on July 28, 2026, by Embu High Court presiding judge suspending the prosecution of the magistrate.
Mr Ombati told the court that in view of the High Court order they are restraining from applying for a warrant and requesting for a further mention date.
“The defense appears not to be properly instructed since they have withheld the information concerning the orders of the High Court from this court,“ said Ombati.
The High Court matter will be mentioned on Friday at the Embu High Court for further directions.
In the meantime, Magistrate Harrison Baraza asked the DPP to supply witness statement to the first accused Julius Irungu and fixed the case for mention on August 19, 2026.
Julius Irungu Njogu was charged on July 27, 2026, before the court and pleaded not guilty to two counts of receiving a bribe contrary to Section 6(1)(a), as read together with Section 18(1) and (2) of the Anti-Bribery Act, No. 47 of 2016.
According to the charge sheet, on July 16, 2026, at Kangema Law Courts in Murang'a County, Njogu, while serving as the Principal Probation Officer at Kangema, allegedly requested a financial advantage of KES 170,000 from Peter Njihia Njuguna on behalf of Kangema Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi.
The prosecution alleges that the money was intended to influence the magistrate to impose a favourable sentence in Kangema Chief Magistrate's Court Criminal Case No. E645 of 2024.
In the second count, the prosecution alleges that on July 21, 2026, at Kangema Township in Murang'a County, Njogu received KES 150,000 from Peter Njihia Njuguna, allegedly on behalf of Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi, in exchange for a favourable sentence in the same criminal case, in which Peter Njihia had already been charged and convicted.
He was released on a cash bail of KES 400,000.
