Gov’t Revokes High-Stakes Appointment After EACC Raid
The government has revoked Josephat Kabeabea’s appointment as Chairperson and member of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority’s Board of Directors, less than a month after he was arrested on bribery charges.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui issued the revocation on Friday, citing authority under the Anti-Counterfeit Act and the Interpretation and General Provisions Act.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (a) and (h) of the Anti-Counterfeit Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry revokes the appointment of Josephat Gichunge Mwirabua Kabeabea as a Member and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, with effect from the 28th November, 2025,” reads the notice.
Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui revoked the appointment of Josephat Kabeabea as Chairperson and Board Member of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, effective immediately.
— The Kenya Times (@thekenyatimes) November 29, 2025
Kabeabea’s removal comes weeks after the DPP approved charges against him over an alleged bribe involving a Chinese… pic.twitter.com/nS9KK20S6d
Kabeabea was seized on November 14 when the Ethics and Anti-Graft Commission (EACC) raided his home on suspicion of demanding Ksh15 million in bribes while acting as the authority’s boss.
According to the EACC, Kabeabea first sought Ksh5 million from a Chinese individual on November 11.
He also threatened the Chinese with jail for the alleged selling of counterfeit goods. When the amount was denied, he allegedly dropped it gradually to Ksh150,000.
According to investigations, Kabeabea instructed the Chinese national to transfer the money to a phone number registered to his driver because the foreigner did not have any cash at the time.
CCTV footage showed Kabeabea visiting the company’s headquarters on November 10 and 11.
In a separate incident in October, Kabeabea allegedly wanted Ksh10 million from another company, but received Ksh8 million after threats of selling counterfeit products.
PRESS STATEMENT ON BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HON. JOSEPHAT GICHUNGE MWIRABUA KABEABEA. #HakiNaUsawa pic.twitter.com/S1iqCF0Ivz
— Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) November 17, 2025
Kabeabea is a former Tigania East MP who served from 2017 to 2022. He was a member of the Departmental Committee on Lands while in parliament.
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He previously made waves during the 2022 General Election campaign when his car was set on fire by unknown youths on the campaign’s last day.
Despite losing his parliamentary seat, President William Ruto appointed him Chair of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority in February 2023, bringing him back into public office.
Three days after his arrest, on November 17, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, approved charges against Kabeabea for allegedly demanding and accepting bribes.
Kabeabea was later charged with bribery under Section 6(1)(a) and Section 18 of the Anti-Bribery Act, 2023, after being brought before the Milimani Anti-Graft Court.
Gov’t Revokes High-Stakes Appointment After EACC Raid
