EACC Arrests Anti-Counterfeit Authority Chair Josphat Kabeabea Over Alleged Ksh15 Million Bribery Scheme
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested the Chair of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), Josphat Kabeabea, following allegations that he demanded bribes amounting to Ksh15 million from business owners in exchange for favourable treatment by the regulatory agency.
Kabeabea, a former Tigania East MP, was apprehended on Friday, November 14, after EACC detectives conducted a raid on his residence. The Commission said the arrest followed a weeks-long investigation into accusations that he used his position to extort money from companies accused of dealing in counterfeit goods.
In a statement, the EACC confirmed that Kabeabea allegedly demanded Ksh5 million on November 11 from a Chinese national whose company had previously been flagged by the Authority. According to the Commission, the ACA boss warned that the business owner would be detained and prosecuted if he failed to comply.
“The suspect is reported to have threatened the complainant with arrest and detention for allegedly distributing counterfeit products unless a bribe was paid,” the EACC said in an internal report seen by Kenyans.co.ke.
Investigators say that when the initial Ksh5 million demand was rejected, Kabeabea gradually scaled down the request—first to Ksh1 million, then to Ksh300,000, and finally to Ksh150,000. The money was allegedly to be sent to a mobile number registered to his driver, as the complainant did not have cash on hand.
CCTV footage obtained by the EACC confirmed that Kabeabea visited the company premises on November 10 and 11, corroborating the complainant’s account.
Separate Ksh10 Million Bribery Claim
The Commission also disclosed that the ACA chair is linked to an earlier incident in October where he allegedly demanded Ksh10 million from another company under similar threats. Investigators believe that Kabeabea received Ksh8 million from the firm after warning it would be accused of selling counterfeit products.
The arrest marks yet another dramatic turn in Kabeabea’s public career. He previously served in Parliament from 2017 to 2022 and was a member of the Departmental Committee on Lands. He made headlines during the 2022 General Election campaigns after his vehicle was torched by unidentified youths on the final day of rallies.
Although he lost his parliamentary seat, President William Ruto appointed him as the chair of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority in February 2023, returning him to public office.
Part of Widening Anti-Graft Dragnet
Kabeabea’s arrest comes just days after the EACC raided the homes and offices of senior officials at the State Department for Sports over an alleged Ksh3.8 billion embezzlement scheme. The Commission said those investigations focus on suspected unlawful acquisition of public property and abuse of office dating back to the 2020/2021 and 2025/2026 financial years.
Targets of the recent operation included a Senior Assistant Commissioner of Sports, a Deputy Accountant General in the Ministry of ASALs and Regional Development, an accountant in the Sports Department, and a director of several private travel companies allegedly linked to the scandal.
Raids conducted across Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Nyeri, and Nanyuki resulted in the seizure of key evidence, including Ksh3.58 million in cash, multiple title deeds for prime properties, and high-end vehicles believed to be connected to the suspected graft.
The EACC said investigations into both cases are ongoing and that further arrests may follow as detectives analyse the recovered evidence.
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EACC Arrests Anti-Counterfeit Authority Chair Josphat Kabeabea Over Alleged Ksh15 Million Bribery Scheme