Josephat Gichunge Kabeabea, the Chairperson of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) Board, has been arrested following a raid by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) at his residence and offices.
The operation on Friday is linked to allegations of bribery, extortion of investors, and unexplained wealth.
According to the EACC, Kabeabea allegedly demanded a Ksh.5 million bribe from a Chinese national operating under Hongda Automotive Limited. The company was accused of dealing in counterfeit goods, and Kabeabea is said to have threatened arrest unless the bribe was paid. The complainants refused to comply, insisting there was no lawful basis for the demand.
Investigators allege that Kabeabea progressively reduced the amount he demanded, from Ksh.5 million to Ksh.1 million, then Ksh.300,000, eventually settling at Ksh.150,000.
The payment was reportedly transferred via a mobile number believed to be registered to his personal driver. EACC officials confirmed that Kabeabea visited the company’s premises on November 10 and 11, with CCTV footage and statements from witnesses forming part of the ongoing probe.
The Commission notes that this case mirrors a previous incident in October, in which Kabeabea allegedly demanded Ksh.10 million from UNIPRO Limited, receiving Ksh.8 million after threatening to implicate the firm in counterfeit dealings.
EACC Head of Communication Stephen Karuga confirmed the arrest and said the matter remains under investigation. Kabeabea is currently being held at the Integrity Centre, awaiting further questioning and processing.
The allegations have drawn concern over governance at the ACA, an institution mandated to protect consumers and investors from counterfeit goods. Should the claims be substantiated, the case highlights the vulnerability of businesses to abuse of power by regulatory officials, raising wider questions about transparency and accountability in state agencies.
The EACC has reiterated its commitment to pursuing all cases of corruption rigorously, signaling that no official, regardless of position, is above the law.
