NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) will escalate investigations into money laundering as Kenya races to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, where the country was placed in February 2024 over weaknesses in combating illicit financial flows and terrorist financing.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud on Monday directed key directorates to fast-track all pending intelligence files related to money laundering, saying the commission carries a heightened responsibility in meeting the FATF benchmarks.
“The current implementation cycle comes at a pivotal moment, when there’s a heightened call for the country to strengthen its AML/CFT interventions to facilitate delisting from the FATF Grey List,” Mohamud said during the launch of the commission’s 2024/2025 annual report in Nairobi. “I therefore urge relevant directorates to fast-track investigations on all intelligence disseminations on money laundering.”
Record Case Filings and Recoveries
According to the report, the commission filed 79 new civil suits in the past financial year—its highest in five years—seeking to recover assets worth approximately Sh4.8 billion.
During the same period, EACC successfully recovered assets valued at Sh3.4 billion, up from Sh2.9 billion the previous year, a performance Mohamud described as a “tangible increase in the effectiveness of our asset recovery efforts.”
The commission also recorded 54 case finalisations in court, compared to 45 the previous year, while convictions rose sharply from 12 to 33—reflecting what EACC says is improved case quality and stronger collaboration with prosecutors.
Bribery Still Dominant Offence
Bribery remained the most reported offence at 37 per cent, followed by embezzlement of public funds (19 per cent), unethical conduct (13 per cent), and fraudulent acquisition or disposal of public property (10 per cent).
Other economic crimes—including procurement fraud, abuse of office, conflict of interest and money laundering—accounted for 21 per cent of complaints.
The commission forwarded 175 files to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and had 838 corruption and economic crime cases under active investigation.
From 166 integrity tests conducted during the year, EACC says it averted potential public losses amounting to Sh16.5 billion—the highest figure recorded in recent years.
Billions in Stolen Assets Traced
EACC reported tracing 27 assets valued at Sh22.9 billion, preserving assets worth Sh2.7 billion and filing 79 civil recovery suits worth Sh4.8 billion.
In courts, 213 corruption cases were active, with 54 finalised, resulting in 33 convictions, 15 acquittals and six withdrawals.
The commission also issued 134 advisories, processed 33,973 self-declaration forms and conducted 2,783 integrity verifications, blocking 50 applicants from clearance over integrity concerns.
Public Engagement and Systems Audits
As part of its prevention mandate, EACC scaled up outreach efforts, sensitising more than 93,000 citizens through market and community engagements and reaching over 128,000 learners in 742 institutions across 23 counties.
It also trained MPs, intelligence officers, infrastructure managers and members of corruption prevention committees on ethics, governance and leadership.
Major systems audits were conducted at the Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC), the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), the National Police Service and the Kenya Prisons Service.
The audits uncovered significant weaknesses in procurement, governance, service delivery and internal controls—areas EACC says require urgent reform.
Mohamud said intensified enforcement, combined with preventive measures, will be critical as Kenya pushes to demonstrate progress required for delisting from the FATF grey list.
