High Court Declines To Block Governor Barchok’s Arrest In Graft Case

The High Court in Nairobi has declined to stop the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) from arresting Bomet Governor Hillary Kipng’eno Barchok over corruption allegations.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye of the Milimani High Court ruled on Monday that Governor Barchok must first serve the EACC with his petition and application before the matter is heard. The judge directed that the documents be served in both hard and soft copy immediately, with proof of service filed by September 9, 2025.

The EACC has until September 19, 2025 to respond to the case. The matter will be mentioned on October 7, 2025 for further directions.

Governor Barchok is among several top officials facing corruption-related charges. The EACC recently summoned him, former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, and 12 others following investigations into irregular county tenders.

According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga, evidence shows violations of procurement laws, conflict of interest, and misuse of public resources involving governors, contractors, and senior county officers.

“The EACC recommended that the following persons be arraigned in court: Hillary Kipng’eno Barchok, the Governor of Bomet, and Evans Kipkoech Korir, Director of Chemasus Construction Limited,” the DPP’s statement read in part.

In Bomet County, Governor Barchok and contractor Evans Kipkoech Korir of Chemasus Construction Limited are accused of conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of property through county contracts worth Sh2.75 million.

In Bungoma County, former Governor Wangamati and several officials are accused of embezzling more than Sh70 million through irregular tenders. Those charged include senior county staff and members of Wangamati’s family.

EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the suspects were directed to present themselves at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi on September 1, 2025 for processing ahead of arraignment in court. Wangamati has already honored the summons.

Governor Barchok has faced previous investigations. In February 2025, he was arrested by the EACC over allegations of misappropriating county funds. His home was also searched as part of a broader probe into alleged embezzlement and conflict of interest in Bomet County.

In November 2024, a group of Bomet lawmakers petitioned the EACC to investigate alleged mismanagement of Sh1.5 billion county funds. The anti-graft body has since been pursuing cases involving senior county officials accused of approving fraudulent payments to companies linked to insiders.