The government has revoked Josephat Kabeabea’s appointment as Chairperson and member of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, less than a month after he was apprehended over bribery allegations.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui gazetted the revocation on Friday, citing powers under the Anti-Counterfeit Act and the Interpretation and General Provisions Act.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (a) and (h) of the Anti-Counterfeit Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry revokes the appointment of Josephat Gichunge Mwirabua Kabeabea as a Member and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, with effect from the 28th November, 2025,” reads the notice.
Kabeabea was apprehended on November 14 following a raid on his home by the Ethics and Anti-Graft Commission (EACC) over allegations that he demanded Ksh15 million in bribes while serving as the authority's boss.
According to the EACC, Kabeabea initially demanded Ksh5 million from a Chinese national on November 11, threatening detention over the alleged sale of counterfeit goods. When the sum was declined, he allegedly reduced it incrementally to Ksh150,000.
Investigations revealed that Kabeabea instructed the Chinese national to transfer the money to a phone number registered to his driver, as the foreigner did not have cash at the time. CCTV footage confirmed Kabeabea visited the company’s premises on November 10 and 11.
In a separate incident in October, Kabeabea allegedly demanded Ksh10 million from another company, receiving Ksh8 million following threats of accusations of selling counterfeit products.
Kabeabea is a former Tigania East MP, having served from 2017 to 2022, and was a member of the Departmental Committee on Lands while in Parliament.
He previously made headlines during the 2022 General Election campaign when his car was torched by unknown youths on the final day of the campaign.
Despite losing his parliamentary seat, he was appointed Chair of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority by President William Ruto in February 2023, marking his return to public office.
Three days after his apprehension, on November 17, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, approved charges against Kabeabea for allegedly demanding and receiving bribes.
Kabeabea was later charged with bribery contrary to Section 6(1)(a) as read with Section 18 of the Anti-Bribery Act, 2023, after being arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Graft Court.
