The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) conducted a search operation at the residence and offices of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority Josphat Gichunge Kabeabea, over corruption claims.
The commission said this in relation to ongoing investigations into allegations of bribery, extortion of local and foreign investors, and unexplained wealth.
EACC obtained court orders following preliminary investigations into the allegations against Kabeabea.
It is alleged that on November 11, 2025, he requested a bribe of Sh5 million from a Chinese national trading under Hongda Automotive Limited.
The suspect, while holding the position of Board Chair at the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, allegedly accused the company of selling counterfeit goods and demanded the bribe, threatening that failure to comply would lead to the complainants being detained for dealing in counterfeit products.
The company owners declined to pay the bribe, noting there was no lawful cause for such a demand.
Kabeabea is said to have subsequently reduced the amount to Sh1 million, then to Sh300,000, and finally to Sh150,000. As the complainants did not have the money at the time, the suspect allegedly provided a mobile number to which the payment should be sent.
He then ordered that the complainants be unhandcuffed before leaving the premises. The commission said the Sh150,000 was subsequently sent to the phone number provided by the suspect, which is believed to be registered to his personal driver.
EACC investigations have since confirmed that the suspect visited the company’s premises on 10th and 11th November 2025. The Commission recorded statements and retrieved CCTV footage as part of the ongoing probe.
This incident aligns with a separate matter reported in October 2025, where Kabeabea is alleged to have demanded a bribe of Sh10 million and received Sh8 million from UNIPRO Limited after threatening them with accusations of selling counterfeit goods.
The suspect has been arrested and is currently held at Integrity Centre for statement recording and further processing.
There was no immediate comment from the accused person. EACC said they will forward the probe file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for action.
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