The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has announced that it is investigating the conduct of a Chief Magistrate.
In a statement delivered by the anti-graft body’s chairperson, Abdi Mohamud, the EACC confirmed that it had launched investigations following numerous complaints alleging that the magistrate demands and receives bribes from accused persons in criminal cases before her.
"EACC wishes to confirm that it is conducting investigations against the Chief Magistrate (working station name withheld) following numerous complaints alleging that she demands and receives bribes from accused persons in criminal matters before her," read part of the statement by Mohamud.
The investigation follows a case in which the commission received information that the magistrate had allegedly received money through a clerk in her court, suspected to have been solicited from accused persons.
"It is alleged that on diverse dates, the Chief Magistrate received various amounts of money through a clerk in her court, suspected to have been solicited from accused persons."
Armed with this information, the EACC obtained search warrants and conducted searches at the residences of both the magistrate and the clerk.
EACC detectives recovered a total of Ksh2.07 million in cash, suspected to be proceeds of corruption.
"Today, Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Commission, upon obtaining search warrants, conducted searches at the residences of the Chief Magistrate and the Clerk to obtain relevant documents and information to support the investigations," the EACC stated.
"A total of Ksh2,070,000 in cash, suspected to be proceeds of corruption, was recovered inside a laptop bag at the residence of the Chief Magistrate, along with various documents relevant to the investigations."
The two were taken to EACC headquarters for interviews and statement recording, pending the submission of the findings to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
In January, EACC Chairperson David Oginde revealed that the Commission had launched investigations into the conduct of various judiciary officials after receiving complaints from Chief Justice Martha Koome.
"We had a meeting with the Chief Justice. In that meeting, she raised the concern that she is receiving reports that some of her officers are taking bribes and therefore subverting justice. And so, on her own initiative, she called upon us to help her in this area," Oginde stated.
