Graft War: Over 800 County Officials Under Investigation as EACC Seeks to Recover KSh 1.6b
- EACC opened investigations into 822 county officials accused of diverting KSh 1.6 billion through fake recruitment, payroll fraud, and irregular allowances
- CEO Abdi Mohamud said 89 high-profile corruption cases had been completed in eight months, with 82 sent to the DPP for prosecution
- The probes involve sitting and former governors, ex-Cabinet Secretaries, and senior state corporation bosses facing charges of embezzlement and money laundering
- Since January, the agency has recovered assets worth over KSh 700 million and disrupted possible losses estimated at KSh 7.2 billion
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched sweeping investigations into county governments.
Source: UGC
EACC seeks to recover at least KSh 1.6 billion, targeting 822 officials accused of siphoning funds through irregular recruitment, payroll manipulation, and fraudulent allowances.
The commission's secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Abdi Mohamud, noted that the National Ethics and Corruption Survey 2024 confirmed corruption as the second most pressing national challenge after unemployment, reflecting the urgency of tougher action.
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According to Mohamud, the Commission has sharpened its focus on bribery at service delivery points, tightened monitoring of capital-intensive projects, and intensified recovery of corruptly acquired assets.
Which high-profile cases has EACC probed?
In the past eight months, Mohamud said the commission had completed 89 high-profile cases.
He explained that 82 of these have been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions with recommendations for prosecution.
The cases involve four current and former governors, two former Cabinet Secretaries, a Principal Secretary, as well as CEOs and managing directors of state corporations.
The Commission is also at an advanced stage of investigating five sitting governors and eleven former governors.
"These investigations relate to allegations of embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering, and possession of unexplained wealth, among other offenses under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act," he stated.
On corruption within counties, Mohamud said 822 officials are under probe for irregularities valued at KSh 1.6 billion.
These include irregular recruitments, payroll manipulation, irregular allowances, and the embezzlement of mortgage and car loan funds.
Since January, the commission said it had recovered 12 properties worth about KSh 600 million and over KSh 105 million in cash.
Mohamud added that proactive investigations had also disrupted possible losses of KSh 7.2 billion.
EACC acknowledges demand for accountability
Despite these interventions, Mohamud acknowledged growing public concern that corruption appears to be increasing, particularly among young people. He said this concern is shared by the Commission.
"While we acknowledge the frustrations by Kenyans, I wish to assure the country that the Commission will upscale both its preventive and enforcement mandates geared towards effectively combating corruption in the country," he said.
He emphasised that the EACC remains committed to impartiality, professionalism, and the rule of law in executing its mandate.
Source: Twitter
The EACC boss urged all justice sector actors to work in a coordinated and collaborative manner to achieve a more accountable and citizen-focused government.
Mohamud commended recent legislative reforms, including the enactment of the Conflict of Interest Act 2025, the Anti-Corruption Laws (Amendment Bill), and the Whistleblower Protection Bill.
He also expressed appreciation to Kenyans demanding greater accountability in both public and private sectors, and thanked the media for amplifying calls for integrity.
"I express the Commission’s willingness and commitment to work with each and every one of you to remove in our country," he said.
Did EACC raid Wetang'ula's home?
In a related report, EACC dismissed claims that its officers raided National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s Karen home.
The commission termed the reports false and misleading, urging the public to rely only on official statements for accurate updates.
The denial came amid heightened debate on graft following President William Ruto’s warning over alleged bribery involving MPs and senators, with claims of KSh10 million being used to influence the Anti-Money Laundering Bill.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
