Eacc traces Sh30billion of illict wealth, recovers Sh3.4billion, report shows

A total of Sh3.4billion of assets acquired fraudulently through corruption and other economic crimes have been recovered in the last year and another 27 assets valued at an estimated Sh22.9 billion traced in the year under review, an annual report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Eacc) shows.

In its 2024/25 financial year annual report, Eacc has filed a total of 79 recovery suits of up to Sh4.8 billion during the same period.

Additionally, the report shows a further 4,183 corruption reports were processed and deterred Sh16.5billion in potential losses.

Eacc Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the year under review reflected “resilience, strategic growth and focused execution,” noting that the institution had achieved its highest number of recovery suits in five years.

“If I had to summarise the last twelve months, it would be a year characterized by both resilience, strategic growth and focused execution,” Mohamud said during the launch of the Commission’s annual report earlier today.

The report showed that fraudulent acquisition and disposal of public property has been on the rise during the period on the report as bribery remained the most reported offense at 37 per cent followed by embezzlement of public funds at 19 per cent, unethical conduct at 13 per cent and other economic crimes including procurement fraud, abuse of office, conflict of interest and money laundering at 21 per cent.

During the reporting period, 838 cases were under investigation for corruption, economic crimes, bribery and unethical conduct as 756 warrants were granted by the courts to conduct various searches.

“The Commission completed 229 investigation files on corruption, economic crimes and ethical violations. The Commission filed applications and obtained 756 warrants for inspecting or searching bank and mobile phone money transfer accounts, premises, vessels and vehicles in respect of persons or associates suspected of engaging in corruption, economic crimes or related offences,” Eacc Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud stated.

Mohamud added that while devolved units remain at the top of fraudulent activities and economic crimes, there is no biasness in the investigations and actions being taken as he added that the focus depends on the magnitude and complaints received from the specific counties.

“We are not targeting specific counties, it is always dependent on the magnitude of the economic crimes and complaints received from the devolved units. We are waiting for the Director of public Prosecution (DPP) to approve the recommended charges for Marsabit and Mandera for example even as we have launched probe in Isiolo from the complaints we have received,” he added.

On the cases of recovery of assets, the most recovered assets were from former employees of the National Treasury which included eleven cases from the total as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority followed closely with six cases of assets recovery.

Sh448,520,203 was the total amount of the assets recovered from the 11 cases involving property of the national Treasury as Sh1.4 billion was recovered from two parcels of land that were recovered from the Mitema holdings set aside as the Loresho Water reservoir and another from Paul Ngetha and others in Woodley Estate.

In the period reported, Sh325 million worth of property for the Kenya Railways Corporations in Kisumu were recovered as Sh408 million was recovered from the State department of housing and Urban development in Mombasa and ministry of lands property were also recovered.

In Isiolo where the anti-graft Authority is still investigating the complaints raised, they recovered Sh296, 779 thousands of Cash from Wario Boru Tore and six of his accomplices.

“Looking back today, I am proud of the successes we have realised. The past year has not only tested our resolve, but also proven our impact.”

According to the Commission, the Sh3.4 billion recovered represents an improvement from Sh2.9billion the previous year, underscoring heightened efficiency in asset tracing and enforcement.

Over the period, EACC instituted suits for preservation and recovery of illegally acquired and unexplained assets.

There were also petitions and judicial review applications filed against the commission.

There were 102 petitions, judicial review applications and appeals filed against the commission.

The commission filed 20 applications and obtained order for preservation of Sh785million held in bank accounts and properties valued at Sh1.9billion.

The Commission traced Sh22.9 billion in suspected illicit assets and filed 79 new suits seeking their forfeiture, the highest in half a decade.

Mohamud said enforcement efforts were also reflected in the broader justice system, where 54 corruption-related cases were finalized in court, up from 45 the previous year. Convictions saw a sharp rise from 12 to 33.

“These figures demonstrate a tangible increase in the effectiveness of our asset recovery efforts,” he said.

“They send a very clear message: corruption does not pay and public property will be reclaimed.”

Beyond enforcement, the commission processed 33,973 self-declaration forms, conducted 166 integrity tests, issued 134 advisories, four notices, 12 cautions to public entities and persons, and carried out 2,783 integrity verifications. Additionally, EACC received and processed 2,783 integrity verification requests from different institutions for appointment to various offices over the reporting period.

“Out of the 2,783 individuals, the commission provided information on 50 individuals who had violated ethical requirements.

In addition, the Commission received and processed 33,973 self-declaration forms in line with Section 12A of LIA, CAP 185C,” the report stated.

In addition, 60 state officers signed and committed to the Leadership and Integrity Codes in compliance with Section 40(1) of LIA, CAP 185C.

These included officers drawn from the three arms of government including the presidency, Judicial Service Commission, Public Service Commission, NGEC, Commission on Administrative Justice, County Governments of Meru, Uasin Gishu and Kisii, and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.

During the reporting period, the Commission supported five public entities to review their codes of conduct and ethics to align with Part II of LIA, CAP 185C. These were: State Department of Devolution, Institute of Human Resource Management Professionals, National Cereals and Produce Board, National Transport Safety Authority and Tana River County Assembly.