The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved criminal charges against a Senior Principal Magistrate and a senior probation officer over allegations that they solicited and received a bribe in exchange for a favourable sentence in a criminal case before the Kangema Law Courts.
In a statement, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said it had independently reviewed an inquiry file submitted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and established that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the two suspects.
According to the DPP, the two will be charged with the offence of allegedly 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.
“Upon an independent and thorough review of the inquiry file, the DPP has established that there is sufficient evidence to charge the two suspects with the offence of Receiving a Bribe,” the ODPP said.
The office added that it had directed that they be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction without delay.
The charge sheet alleges that on July 16, 2026, Njogu, in his capacity as the Principal Probation Officer at Kangema, requested Sh170,000 from a businessman on behalf of the magistrate.
Prosecutors allege that the money was sought in exchange for the magistrate delivering a favourable sentence in Kangema Chief Magistrate’s Court Criminal Case No E645 of 2024, in which the businessman had already been charged and convicted.
The prosecution further alleges that between July 16 and July 21, 2026, the magistrate, while serving at Kangema Law Courts, requested the same amount of Sh170,000 through the businessman with the understanding that he would impose a favourable sentence against the convicted accused person.
In a separate count, the charge sheet alleges that on July 21, 2026, the magistrate received Sh150,000 as part of the alleged bribery arrangement tied to the sentencing in the criminal case.
The charges stem from investigations conducted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission before the inquiry file was forwarded to the DPP for review and a decision on prosecution.
The ODPP reiterated that its decision followed an independent assessment of the evidence and was guided by the constitutional threshold for instituting criminal proceedings.
“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.
The two suspects are expected to appear before an anti-corruption court to answer to the charges, where they will be afforded an opportunity to plead to the allegations.
