Chief Justice Martha Koome
Chief Justice Martha Koome has suspended a magistrate following arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe in connection with a matter pending before a court.
The Judiciary moved swiftly, with Chief Justice Martha Koome declaring that no judicial officer will be shielded from accountability if found to have engaged in corruption or unethical conduct.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Koome said she had taken note of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) announcement on the arrest.
The two were arrested over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe in connection with a matter pending before the court.
The suspects were arrested on July 21, 2026, at a restaurant following an operation mounted by the commission.
The arrest followed a complaint lodged by a businessman who reported that he had been convicted in a criminal case for obtaining money by false pretences and was scheduled to be sentenced on July 22.
EACC said preliminary investigations established that the probation officer approached the complainant, claiming to act on behalf of the magistrate, and demanded Sh170,000, assuring him that the money would secure a non-custodial sentence through a favourable probation recommendation rather than a custodial sentence.
The commission mounted an operation that culminated in the arrest of the two suspects while receiving Sh150,000 from the complainant.
They are currently in police custody and will be processed at the EACC Central Regional Office.
Koome described the allegations as serious, saying they strike at the core of the administration of justice.
"The allegations are grave and, if proved, constitute a serious violation of the law, the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the values that underpin the administration of justice," she said.
The Chief Justice reiterated that the judiciary maintains a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and all forms of unethical conduct.
She said judicial authority is exercised on behalf of the people of Kenya and must always be guided by constitutional values, including integrity, impartiality, accountability, transparency and the rule of law.
"Any conduct that undermines public confidence in the administration of justice strikes at the very foundation of the Judiciary," Koome said.
She stressed that judicial officers are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and cannot dispense justice while engaging in criminal conduct.
"I have consistently stated that Judges, Judicial Officers and members of staff cannot discharge justice with one hand and commit a crime with the other," she said.
"While every person against whom allegations are made remains entitled to due process, the Judiciary will not shield or condone criminal or unethical conduct by any person serving within its ranks."
Koome announced that the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) have already commenced the appropriate administrative and disciplinary processes under the Judicial Service Act and applicable human resource policies.
She said the judicial officer will be relieved of judicial duties pending the conclusion of those processes, without prejudice to the ongoing criminal investigations being conducted by the relevant constitutional agencies.
The Chief Justice also pledged the Judiciary's full cooperation with the EACC and other investigative and prosecutorial agencies handling the matter.
"The Judiciary and Judicial Service Commission will accord the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and all other investigative and prosecutorial agencies the necessary cooperation in the discharge of their constitutional mandates," she said.
Koome assured Kenyans that the Judiciary and the JSC remain committed to protecting the integrity of the justice system.
"I wish to assure the people of Kenya that the Judiciary and Judicial Service Commission remain steadfast in safeguarding the integrity of the justice system. We will continue to act firmly, fairly, and decisively against any judicial officer or member of staff whose conduct falls short of the high ethical standards expected of those entrusted with the administration of justice," she said.
