By The Weekly Vision Reporter
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has authorised the prosecution of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) Board Chairperson Josephat Gichunge Kabeabea for allegedly soliciting a KSh 5 million bribe from a Chinese businessman.
In a statement, Ingonga said he had conducted a comprehensive review of the enquiry file presented to him by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and established that the evidence on record sufficiently discloses the essential elements of the offence of bribery.
“Consequently, the ODPP has directed that Hon Kabeabea be charged with bribery contrary to Section 6(1)(a), as read with Section 18 of the Anti-Bribery Act, No. 47 of 2023.” Kabeabea, a former Tigania East MP, was arrested on Friday, 14th November, following raids on his residence and offices in an operation linked to the alleged bribery demand.
According to the anti-graft agency, Kabeabea demanded from Hongda Automotive Limited on 11th November, on the grounds that his company was dealing in counterfeit goods. He is alleged to have threatened the owner with arrest unless they paid the bribe. “The suspect, whilst holding the position of Board Chair at the Anti‑Counterfeit Authority allegedly accused the company of selling counterfeit goods and demanded a bribe, threatening that failure to comply would lead to the complainants being detained for dealing in counterfeit products,” EACC said in a statement.
However, the Chinese businessman declined to pay the bribe and instead insisted there was no lawful cause for the demand. According to EACC, Kabeabea progressively reduced the requested amount to KSh 1 million, then to KSh 300,000, before finally settling at KSh 150,000.
However, after the businessmen told him they did not have cash, the suspect allegedly provided a mobile phone number to facilitate the transfer and sent KSh 150,000 to the number, which the commission believes is registered in the name of his personal driver.
EACC added that CCTV footage retrieved from the company’s offices indicates the former Tigania East MP visited the premises on the 10th and 11th November. It has been retained as evidence.
According to Ingonga, there was evidence that Kabeabea received KSh 150,000 during the transaction. According to EACC, the matter mirrors an earlier incident reported in October, in which Kabeabea allegedly demanded KSh 10 million and received KSh 8 million from UNIPRO Limited after threatening to implicate the firm in counterfeit dealings.
