EACC places four governors, 11 ex-governors under graft probe

EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the probes touch on embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, conflict of interest, and possession of unexplained wealth.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has revealed that at least four sitting governors and 11 former governors are currently under investigation for corruption-related offences.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the probes touch on embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, conflict of interest, and possession of unexplained wealth, among other crimes under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
He spoke during a media briefing at the Integrity Centre.
Mohamud disclosed that over the last eight months, the Commission completed 89 high-profile cases, with 82 of them recommended for prosecution.
“These 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,” he said.
He added that the Commission is also pursuing cases worth about Sh1.6 billion involving 822 county officials linked to irregular recruitment, manipulation of payroll, irregular allowance payments, and misuse of mortgage and car loan funds.
On the ongoing debate over bribery claims against Members of Parliament, Mohamud clarified that no formal complaints had reached the Commission.
“We are yet to get those claims for now, but we will act on them once the report is here,” he said.
From January this year, EACC has recovered 12 properties valued at about Sh600 million, as well as Sh105 million in cash.
The agency has also disrupted the possible loss of Sh7.2 billion through proactive investigations.
Despite these interventions, Mohamud acknowledged that Kenyans remain concerned about corruption levels.
“Notwithstanding 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,” he said.
“This 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.”
He called for stronger cooperation across the justice sector to ensure accountability and protect public resources.
He pointed out that legislative reforms, including the Conflict of Interest Act 2025, the Anti-Corruption Laws (Amendment Bill), and the Whistleblower Protection Bill, show renewed commitment to the fight against graft.
“I 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,” he said.
Mohamud noted that growing public demand for accountability and integrity in governance marks a transformative moment for the country.
He cited the National Ethics and Corruption Survey 2024, which placed corruption as the second most serious challenge facing Kenya after unemployment.
“These 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,” he said.
He added that EACC has scaled up its focus on bribery at service delivery points, monitoring capital-intensive projects to curb procurement irregularities, and expanding efforts to recover corruptly acquired assets.
The Commission has also deepened collaboration with professional and regulatory bodies to strengthen ethical compliance.