Government Fires Senior Official Days After Home Raid Over Graft Claims
The government has officially removed Josephat Kabeabea from his role as Chairperson and member of the Board of Directors at the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, just weeks after he was caught up in a major bribery scandal.
Kabeabea’s dismissal comes less than a month after officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) raided his home and arrested him over claims that he demanded large sums of money from business owners.
The revocation of his appointment was announced on Friday by Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui. In a gazette notice, Kinyanjui said he exercised powers given under the Anti-Counterfeit Act and the Interpretation and General Provisions Act to strip Kabeabea of his position.
According to the notice, the CS revoked his appointment with effect from 28th November 2025, making it clear that the government no longer recognised him as a member or chair of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority.
Bribery Allegations That Triggered His Downfall
Kabeabea’s troubles began on November 14, when EACC detectives raided his home and apprehended him over serious bribery allegations. Investigators said he demanded Ksh15 million while serving as the authority’s top boss, threatening business owners with arrest and accusations of selling counterfeit goods.
Reports from EACC indicate that on November 11, he allegedly demanded Ksh5 million from a Chinese national, warning that failure to pay would result in the foreigner being detained. When the businessman refused, Kabeabea reportedly kept lowering the amount until it reached Ksh150,000.
Because the Chinese national did not have cash at the time, Kabeabea is said to have instructed him to send the money to a mobile number registered under his driver.
Investigators later confirmed through CCTV footage that Kabeabea had visited the company’s premises on November 10 and 11, strengthening the case against him.
In another incident reported in October, Kabeabea allegedly demanded Ksh10 million from a different company. According to EACC, the company ended up paying Ksh8 million after he threatened to accuse them of distributing counterfeit products.
His Political Background and Public Life
Kabeabea previously served as the Member of Parliament for Tigania East from 2017 to 2022. During his time in Parliament, he sat in the Departmental Committee on Lands, where he participated in discussions and oversight involving land matters across the country.
He also made headlines in the run-up to the 2022 General Election, after unknown youths torched his vehicle on the last day of campaigns.
Although he lost his parliamentary seat in that election, his political career did not end there. In February 2023, President William Ruto appointed him as Chair of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, which marked his return to a senior government role.
Criminal Charges Approved
Just three days after his arrest, on November 17, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, reviewed the evidence and approved charges against him.
Kabeabea was later taken to the Milimani Anti-Graft Court, where he was charged with demanding and receiving bribes.
He now faces charges under Section 6(1)(a) as read with Section 18 of the Anti-Bribery Act, 2023, making his case one of the most high-profile corruption cases involving a senior government appointee this year.
Kabeabea’s dismissal from office, combined with the criminal charges, marks a significant shift in his public life, signaling a tough moment for the former MP who once held influential positions within government.
His case also adds to growing concerns over corruption in public offices, with many Kenyans now watching closely to see how the matter unfolds in court.
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