By James Okoth
What began as a disputed KSh150,000 mobile money transfer has spiralled into the arrest of Hon. Josphat Gichunge Kabeabea, the Chairperson of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) Board, exposing what investigators believe is a wider extortion racket targeting investors.
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the seemingly modest payment was the final piece of evidence needed to link Mr. Kabeabea to an alleged bribery demand made to a Chinese investor operating under Hongda Automotive Limited. The investor reported that the ACA board chair had initially demanded KSh5 million to halt purported enforcement actions over alleged counterfeit dealings. The amount was later negotiated down to KSh150,000, which was allegedly sent to a mobile number traced to Mr. Kabeabea’s personal driver.
Investigators say that this transfer, though far below the initial demand, provided a direct financial trail that strengthened the case. Armed with the transaction details, EACC moved swiftly to secure search warrants, leading to coordinated raids at Mr. Kabeabea’s home and offices on Friday morning.
The Commission now believes the alleged extortion attempt was not an isolated incident. Preliminary evidence gathered during the expanded probe points to similar complaints from other local and foreign investors who claim they were pressured into paying bribes under threat of arrest or raids.
Mr. Kabeabea was arrested during the operation and is currently detained at Integrity Centre Police Station for further questioning and statement recording as the investigation widens.
EACC says the arrest underscores how even a single suspicious payment, in this case, KSh150,000, can unravel a much larger web of alleged corruption within a key regulatory body.
