The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested Josphat Kabeabea, Chair of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority's Board of Directors, amid allegations that he demanded Ksh15 million in bribes in his capacity as the authority's boss.
The arrest occurred on Friday November 14, following a raid on his home. The EACC revealed that Kabeabea had allegedly demanded a bribe of Ksh5 million on November 11 from a Chinese national, having previously accused the company of selling counterfeit goods.
According to the EACC, Kabeabea allegedly threatened that failure to comply would result in the Chinese national being detained for selling counterfeit goods.
Kabeabea had his initial demand for Ksh5 million bribe declined, according to EACC. He then allegedly reduced it to Ksh1 million, then to Ksh300,000, before finally settling on Ksh150,000.
In the official EACC report obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, Kabeabea directed the Chinese national to send the money to a phone number registered to his driver, as the foreigner did not have physical cash at the time.
According to EACC investigations, Kabeabea visited the Chinese national’s company’s premises on both November 10 and 11 as was proved by CCTV footage obtained by the Commission.
Soliciting Ksh10 Million Bribe
In a separate incident in October, Kabeabea allegedly demanded a bribe of Ksh10 million from another company, receiving Ksh8 million. This followed threats to accuse the company of selling counterfeit goods.
Kabeabea is a former Member of Parliament (MP) who served as the MP for Tigania East from 2017 to 2022. In Parliament, he was a member of the Departmental Committee on Lands.
He grabbed headlines in the lead-up to the 2022 General Election, after his car was torched by unknown youths during the busy campaign period. Notably, the incident happened on the last day of campaigns ahead of the elections.
Despite losing the seat, Kabeabea was later appointed to be the authority's chair in February 2023 by President William Ruto, marking his comeback in the public limelight.
The latest comes barely a week after EACC raided the homes of senior officials at the State Department for Sports over allegations of embezzling Ksh3.8 billion.
According to EACC, the investigations focus on claims of unlawful acquisition of public property and abuse of office involving top officials in the State Department for Sports. The alleged offences are said to have occurred during the 2020/2021 and 2025/2026 financial years.
Among those targeted in the operation were a Senior Assistant Commissioner of Sports, a Deputy Accountant General in the Ministry of ASALs and Regional Development, an accountant at the State Department for Sports, and a director of private travel companies linked to the alleged scheme.
The operation, which covered Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Nyeri, and Nanyuki, resulted in the recovery of key evidence, including Ksh3.58 million in cash, title deeds for landed properties, and several high-end motor vehicles.
