The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, has approved charges against the Chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Josephat Gichunge Mwirabua Kabeabea, for allegedly demanding and receiving a bribe.
In a statement on Monday, November 17, ODPP said that Kabeabea demanded a bribe from a Chinese business owner in exchange for halting ongoing investigations and arresting him and his employees. The authority had accused the business owner of selling counterfeit goods.
According to the ODPP, evidence gathered by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) indicated that Kabeabea reduced the bribe demand from Ksh5million to Ksh150,000, which was later sent to him through a mobile number that is believed to belong to his personal driver.
Kabeabea has been charged with bribery, which is contrary to Section 6(1)(a) as read with Section 18 of the Anti-Bribery Act, 2023, according to the ODPP. He will be arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court today, November 17.
"On 14th November 2025, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) forwarded a pursuant file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) detailing investigations into allegations that Hon. Kabeabea demanded and received a bribe contrary to Section 6(1)(a) as read with Section 18 of the Anti-Bribery Act, No. 47 of 2023," the statement read in part.
"The DPP has conducted a comprehensive review of the inquiry file pursuant to Section 35 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, Cap 65 Laws of Kenya, and established that the evidence on record sufficiently discloses the essential elements of the offence of bribery," it added.
The chairman was arrested on Friday, November 14, by officers from EACC after they conducted a search operation at his residence and office.
Kabeabea is a former Member of Parliament who served as the MP for Tigania East from 2017 to 2022. In Parliament, he was a member of the Departmental Committee on Lands.
According to EACC, this is not the first bribery incident. Similar allegations against the suspect have emerged during the course of the investigation.
In October, Kabeabea allegedly demanded a bribe of Ksh10 million from another company, receiving Ksh8 million.
Kabeabea had threatened to accuse the company of selling counterfeit goods if they failed to comply with his bribery demands.
"The suspect has been arrested and is currently held at the Integrity Centre Police Station for further questioning and statement recording," EACC said in a statement on Friday.
