High Court clears way for Barchok graft case
Barchok had filed a petition under a certificate of urgency, seeking to block his arrest and trial after the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) approved charges against him last week following investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The High Court has declined to stop the planned prosecution of Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok, who is facing graft allegations linked to county government operations.
Barchok had filed a petition under a certificate of urgency, seeking to block his arrest and trial after the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) approved charges against him last week following investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
According to the ODPP, the governor is among several high-profile figures facing charges arising from inquiries into procurement fraud, conflict of interest, and misuse of public funds. DPP Renson Ingonga said Barchok will be charged with conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public property.
Investigators claim that companies associated with the Bomet governor received payments from the county government between the financial years 2019/20 and 2025.
In his ruling on Monday, Justice Bahati Mwamuye directed Barchok to serve his petition on the EACC in both soft and hard copies by September 2. “The respondent (EACC) shall enter appearance and file and serve its response to both the application and the petition by close of business on September 19, 2025,” Mwamuye ordered.
The judge further directed that the matter be mentioned on October 7 for directions on an expedited hearing.
The ruling comes at a time when President William Ruto has repeatedly stressed that his administration will remain firm in the fight against corruption.
