A senior government official from the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) has been arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in connection with a bribery scandal involving counterfeit goods.
The official, who held the position of Director of Legal Services at ACA, was under investigation for his role in a large-scale bribery operation, which allowed counterfeit goods to flood the market unchecked.
The EACC confirmed the arrest on Sunday, with Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi stating that preliminary investigations revealed the official had received bribes totaling Ksh40,344,619 between 2019 and 2025.
These bribes came from traders selling counterfeit products, who paid the official to avoid regulatory action and continue their illicit business operations. Some of the money was reportedly used to pay for the official’s children’s school fees and cover household bills.
The arrest followed a search operation at the official’s residence, part of the EACC’s ongoing efforts to crack down on corruption across various public service delivery points.
The investigation also uncovered valuable evidence related to the suspect’s involvement in the bribery network. The EACC emphasized that the official received bribes directly and through family members or proxies, further complicating the case.
The commission stated that counterfeit goods not only pose serious risks to public health and safety but also harm legitimate businesses and erode public trust in regulatory institutions. They urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of counterfeit goods to the EACC for investigation and action.
Following the arrest, the suspect was taken to the EACC Integrity Centre for questioning but was released pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The commission also made it clear that this operation was part of a broader initiative targeting corruption within public service agencies. EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud, in a speech on January 13, emphasized that tackling corruption at all levels, whether small or large, is a priority for the commission.
He warned that corruption, especially at service delivery points, undermines public service and fosters a culture of impunity, which the EACC is determined to eliminate.
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