EACC Confirms: Four sitting and 11 former governors under probe
At least four sitting governors are currently under investigation for corruption-related offences, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has confirmed.
According to the Commission, 11 former governors are also being probed over similar crimes.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the cases involve allegations of misuse of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering, and owning unexplained wealth, among other offences outlined under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
Mohamud noted that in the last eight months, the Commission has concluded 89 high-profile cases.
โThese investigation files have been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), with recommendations to prosecute 82 of the cases. Notably, four of these cases involve current governors, former County Governors, two former Cabinet Secretaries, a Principal Secretary, and CEOs and MDs of various State Corporations,โ he said.
โIn addition, the Commission is at an advanced stage of investigating five sitting Governors and 11 former Governors.โ
The CEO added that EACC is handling cases worth around Sh1.6 billion linked to irregular hiring, payroll manipulation, illegal allowances, and mismanagement of county loan funds. These cases involve at least 822 county officials.
Speaking at the Integrity Centre, Mohamud also revealed that the Commission has not yet opened investigations into bribery allegations against Members of Parliament.
โWe are yet to get those claims for now, but we will act on them once the report is here,โ he said.
From January 2025, the Commission has managed to recover 12 illegally acquired properties valued at Sh600 million, alongside Sh105 million in cash. In addition, proactive investigations have prevented a possible loss of Sh7.2 billion.
โNotwithstanding the aforementioned interventions, there is a continued feeling by Kenyans, especially the youthful population, that the level of corruption in the country is on the increase.โ
โThis concerns the Commission as it does every responsible citizen of this country. While the Commission acknowledges the frustration 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,โ he said.
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Mohamud urged justice sector stakeholders to collaborate more closely for a transparent and accountable government.
He also highlighted that recent reforms, such as the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, the Anti-Corruption Laws (Amendment Bill), and the Whistleblower Protection Bill, show the governmentโs commitment to strengthening the war on graft.
โI am constantly reminding those of us in leadership to live to the oath of office we subscribed to by committing to promote the rule of law, accountability, and good governance,โ he said.
He added that Kenyans have increasingly demanded accountability and integrity in public service, creating what he described as a progressive moment for the nation.
โThe urgent need for enhanced accountability, as espoused by Kenyans, was validated by the findings of the National Ethics and Corruption Survey 2024. The Survey ranked corruption as the second most critical challenge facing the country, after unemployment,โ he said.
โThese findings and concerns underscore the urgent need for coordinated and sustained efforts to enhance investigative efficiency, prosecutorial effectiveness, asset tracing and recovery, and adjudication of corruption-related offenses.โ
The Commission has also stepped up monitoring of public service delivery points, capital projects, and procurement to detect bribery and irregularities, while continuing recovery of stolen assets.
Additionally, EACC has boosted partnerships with professional and regulatory bodies to enhance ethical standards in governance.
EACC Confirms: Four sitting and 11 former governors under probe
