Top Judge Denies Involvement in Sh872,000 Bribery Scheme

Justice Daniel Musinga, President of the Court of Appeal, strongly denied allegations on Tuesday that he sent a university student leader to solicit a Sh872,437 ($6,750) bribe from a litigant to secure a favorable ruling in a pending case.

The judge testified against Anthony Muchui Manyara, a former student leader, who allegedly approached litigant Mary Wagaki Muthumbi claiming he was acting on behalf of Justice Musinga.

“I do not know the accused person and I have never interacted with him in any professional or personal capacity. I have never sent anyone to collect money on my behalf in any case,” Justice Musinga told the Milimani law court, describing the allegations as “false and intended to undermine the credibility of my work and the judiciary.”

According to testimony presented before Trial Magistrate Dolphina Alego, Manyara allegedly requested $5,500 for the judge and $1,250 as his own facilitation fee, claiming he could help in “bench fixing” and securing a favorable outcome from the appellate court.

Scheme Uncovered

The alleged scheme came to light in November 2023 when Muthumbi reported the matter directly to Chief Justice Martha Koome. In her testimony, Muthumbi described receiving a phone call on November 28, 2023, from someone who identified her by name before introducing himself as an architect and a law student at the University of Nairobi.

The interaction culminated in an evening meeting at a hotel in Karen, Nairobi, where Manyara, described as wearing “a blue suit and carrying Mercedes-Benz keys,” allegedly demanded the bribe.

“I am a Roman Catholic and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” Muthumbi testified. “He replied that the judicial system is deeply corrupted and that’s why I lost at the High Court.”

Judge’s Defense

Justice Musinga informed the court that he was shocked to learn that Manyara had approached a litigant claiming he could influence court outcomes in exchange for money. He further testified that he has never handled Muthumbi’s case.

The judge stated he was informed by the Chief Justice about a letter received from a litigant alleging attempted bribery involving his name, which he described as not only false but defamatory.

For his part, Manyara denied the bribery allegations and confirmed he has never met Justice Musinga. He chose not to cross-examine the judge and appeared in court without legal representation.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on June 18, 2025.