ADVERT 
ADVERTA Busia Law Courts clerk has been arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over an alleged Sh180,000 bribery scheme linked to a criminal case involving six co-accused persons.
The arrest of court clerk Wesley Kipkoech Langat followed an EACC operation after investigators received a report alleging that he had demanded and received the money to secure a lenient outcome in a case pending before the Busia Law Courts.
According to EACC, Langat allegedly acted on behalf of a magistrate at the station, demanding the bribe from an accused person as an inducement to influence the eventual penalty.
The anti-graft agency said the investigation began after a complaint was lodged over the alleged demand, which was reportedly intended to influence the outcome of a case involving a commercial vehicle that had been impounded by police over alleged traffic offences.
“The citizen is alleged to have acted on behalf of a Magistrate at the station by demanding the bribe from an accused person as an inducement to secure a lenient penalty in the case,” EACC said.
ADVERTInvestigators subsequently mounted an operation that culminated in Langat’s arrest after he allegedly received the Sh180,000.
The suspect was being held at EACC’s Western Regional Office in Bungoma for processing and was expected to be booked at Bungoma Police Station as investigations continued.
The case adds to growing scrutiny of corruption allegations within Kenya’s justice system, with anti-graft agencies increasingly targeting individuals suspected of using their positions to influence court proceedings.
Magistrate also charged over alleged bribe
The Busia arrest came as another judicial officer faced corruption charges.
Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi, attached to Kangema Law Courts, was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Magistrate’s Court and charged with allegedly receiving a bribe.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Mutegi had recently been suspended by his employer before being charged under Section 6(1), as read with Section 18(1), of the Anti-Bribery Act, among other charges.
Mutegi denied the allegations.
His arraignment followed a High Court decision declining to grant conservatory orders he had sought in a petition challenging the proceedings. The decision effectively cleared the way for the prosecution to proceed with the case.
The court subsequently granted the magistrate a Sh800,000 bond with a surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of Sh400,000.
The prosecution did not oppose his release but the court barred him from interfering with witnesses in any manner.
The matter is scheduled to come up for mention on September 7 for further directions.
Both cases underscore the heightened attention being directed at alleged corruption within institutions entrusted with administering justice, as authorities seek to safeguard the integrity and independence of Kenya’s courts.
