CJ Koome Breaks Silence After Magistrate’s Arrest Over Bribery Claims

The Chief Justice Martha Koome breaks the silence over the arrest of Martin Kinyua Mutegi, a Senior Principal Magistrate at Kangema Law Courts.

Martin was arrested by the Ethics an Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe in matters of the court.

“The allegations are serious. If proven, they would amount to a major breach of the law, the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the core values that support the administration of justice,” read the statement in part.

According to the statement, the judiciary has zero tolerance for corruption and all forms of unethical conduct.

Judicial Authority

CJ Koome said that judicial authority must always be guided by the Constitution of Kenya and the values of integrity, transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

“I have always maintained that judges, judicial officers, and staff cannot serve justice with one hand and break the law with the other. Those entrusted with administering justice carry an even greater duty to uphold the law and to model the same integrity they expect from the public,” reads the statement.

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Additionally the Chief Justice says that any person who faces allegations is usually entitled to due process and the Judiciary will not shield any criminal or unethical conduct.

“Every person facing allegations is entitled to due process. However, the Judiciary will not shield or condone any criminal or unethical conduct by anyone serving within it,” says the statement.

Officer Relieved Of Duties

The Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission have also commenced the appropriate administrative and disciplinary processes under the Judicial Service Act.

The arrested judicial officer is therefore going to ne relieved his duties pending the ongoing investigations by EACC.

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The statement says the Judiciary and Judicial Service Commission will cooperate with the EACC to ensure that justice is served.

They also assured Kenyans to continue acting firmly and fairly against any judicial officer who gies against the ethical standards.

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