Josephat Gichunge Kabeabea, the Chairperson of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), was arraigned on Monday at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, facing charges of soliciting and receiving a Ksh 5 million bribe from businessman Du Zhisheng in exchange for favorable treatment in a case involving counterfeit motor vehicle parts.
The charges follow an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which found that Kabeabea allegedly demanded the sum to influence an ongoing probe into a business under scrutiny by the authority. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved the charges after the EACC submitted findings indicating sufficient evidence to sustain a criminal case.
Kabeabea, a former Tigania East MP, denied the allegations in court. He was released on Ksh 2 million bond or Ksh 1 million cash bail, and ordered to surrender his passport and refrain from contacting prosecution witnesses. The matter is set for mention on December 8, 2025.
Addressing the press, an EACC official stated, “We are committed to holding all public officials accountable. No one is above the law, and this case demonstrates our resolve in tackling corruption at the highest levels.”
Investigators noted a similar allegation in October 2025, where Kabeabea allegedly demanded Ksh 10 million from UNIPRO Limited and received Ksh 8 million, threatening to accuse the company of trading in counterfeit goods.
Legal experts warn that bribery at senior levels undermines public trust and hampers the fight against counterfeit goods in Kenya. Kabeabea’s legal team has vowed to vigorously contest the charges, asserting that the allegations are unfounded.
