The government has dismissed Josephat Kabeabea from the board of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, barely two weeks after his arrest in a high-profile bribery investigation.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui announced the revocation of his appointment, stating that the decision followed the law governing the authority and all applicable regulations. The removal took effect on November 28, 2025.
Kabeabea was arrested on November 14 after Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officers raided his home. He was accused of demanding a total of KSh15 million in bribes during his tenure as the head of the agency.
Investigators said one of the cases involved a Chinese national whom Kabeabea allegedly threatened with detention on claims of trading in counterfeit goods. He is accused of initially demanding KSh5 million before repeatedly lowering the amount to KSh150,000. According to the EACC, the money was to be sent to a mobile number registered to his driver because the complainant did not have cash at the time.
CCTV footage reportedly placed Kabeabea at the complainant’s business premises on November 10 and 11, a detail the EACC says reinforces its case.
In a separate incident a month earlier, he allegedly demanded KSh10 million from another company and later received KSh8 million after issuing threats linked to counterfeit accusations.
Kabeabea previously served as Tigania East MP between 2017 and 2022. His political career made headlines during the 2022 campaigns when his vehicle was burned by unknown attackers. He was appointed chair of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority by President William Ruto in February 2023.
Following his arrest, the Director of Public Prosecutions approved charges against him on November 17. He was arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Graft Court and charged with demanding and receiving bribes under the Anti-Bribery Act.
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