Former High Court judge Joseph Mutava and three other suspects have been released on cash bail of Ksh.200,000 each as investigations continue into an alleged bribery scheme linked to a commercial dispute before the High Court. The four suspects were arrested on Monday following what detectives described as a coordinated operation triggered by a complaint about alleged attempts to influence a court case.
According to investigators, the complaint alleged that the former judge had requested a bribe of Ksh.10.4 million in exchange for influencing the outcome of a commercial matter pending before the High Court. Alongside Mutava, detectives also arrested advocate Kimani Wachira, auctioneer Dr. Kennedy Ngambau Mulwa, and Tom Awili, who are believed to have been connected to the alleged arrangement. Authorities say the four suspects were taken in for interrogation and statement recording as investigators gathered more information and reviewed materials linked to the case.
Despite the arrests, the suspects will not be arraigned in court immediately as investigators continue compiling evidence. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is still conducting inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged bribery claims.
Once investigations are completed, detectives are expected to forward the investigation file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The ODPP will then review the evidence and determine whether the suspects will face formal charges in court. The case has drawn attention due to the involvement of a former member of the judiciary, raising fresh concerns about integrity and accountability within Kenya’s justice system.
