NAIROBI, Kenya – Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives on Friday arrested Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) Board Chairperson Josephat Gichunge Kabeabea after raiding his residence and offices over allegations of bribery, extortion of investors and unexplained wealth.
The operation is linked to claims that Kabeabea allegedly demanded a Sh5 million bribe from a Chinese national operating under Hongda Automotive Limited.
According to EACC, the incident occurred on November 11, 2025, when the ACA boss allegedly accused the firm of dealing in counterfeit goods and threatened to have its owners arrested unless they paid the money.
Bribe demand allegedly reduced to Sh150,000
Investigators say the complainants stood their ground and declined to pay, insisting there was no lawful basis for the demand.
EACC reports that Kabeabea is then alleged to have gradually scaled down his request — first from Sh5 million to Sh1 million, then to Sh300,000, before finally settling at Sh150,000.
When the company representatives said they did not have cash, the suspect allegedly provided a mobile phone number to facilitate the payment.
The Sh150,000 was later sent to the line, which EACC says is believed to be registered in the name of his personal driver.
CCTV footage and statements secured
The commission says investigators have confirmed that Kabeabea visited Hongda Automotive’s premises on November 10 and 11, as part of the ongoing probe.
Statements from key witnesses have been recorded, and CCTV footage from the company has been retrieved to corroborate the allegations.
ACA is the state agency mandated to combat trade in counterfeit goods, working with other regulators and law enforcement agencies to protect intellectual property rights and consumers.
EACC links case to earlier Sh10 million demand
EACC Head of Communication Stephen Karuga, who confirmed the raid and arrest, said the matter bears similarities to an earlier complaint reported in October.
In that case, Kabeabea is alleged to have demanded Sh10 million from UNIPRO Limited, again by threatening to implicate the firm in counterfeit-related offences.
According to EACC, he received Ksh.8 million in that earlier incident. That matter is also under active investigation.
Following Friday’s raid, Kabeabea was taken to Integrity Centre, EACC’s headquarters, where he is being held for further questioning and processing as the commission prepares its next course of action.
EACC says the investigations into both complaints are ongoing, with more witnesses expected to record statements.
