Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka engaged in a heated exchange with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Deputy CEO Abdi Mohamud over allegations of bribery within the commission.
During a Senate Committee hearing investigating the Finland Scholarships scandal on Tuesday, Mohamud expressed concern over Onyonka’s repeated accusations on TV and radio, claiming the anti-graft body is corrupt.
He stated that such remarks tarnish the reputation of an institution tasked with combating corruption.
“I’ve heard Onyonka assert on multiple occasions that if you have an issue with the EACC, you should just bring a briefcase. I want to address him, as a Kenyan and an honorable member, about the impact of such unsubstantiated allegations on a public institution meant to fight corruption,” Mohamud said.
Onyonka countered, asserting that Mohamud shouldn’t assume he is unaware of what happens at the EACC. He pressed the deputy CEO to disclose how many corruption cases had been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for prosecution, to which Mohamud had no answer.
The Senator provocatively suggested that if the EACC wanted him to bring a briefcase of money on behalf of someone under investigation, he would comply.
“How many cases has the EACC investigated and handed over to the DPP? You don’t know… Don’t pretend we are ignorant of what we’re doing, and I’m not asking you to make unfounded accusations,” Onyonka stated.
Mohamud clarified that he merely wanted to know if Onyonka had witnessed EACC officers accepting bribes during investigations.
“For the EACC, image is everything. If we lose our reputation, we might as well close shop. It’s easy to label someone as corrupt,” Mohamud said.
Committee members eventually intervened to halt the exchange.
This incident arises as EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak approaches the end of his term, set to conclude in January 2025 after serving six years.
The EACC has faced criticism for its weak cases, which often take years to yield results. The commission has been advocating for legislative changes to gain the authority to prosecute individuals it investigates. Currently, it only conducts investigations and submits cases to the DPP, who decides whether to pursue charges, with many cases sent back for further investigation.
