The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has intensified its crackdown on cases of bribery demands and extortion by public officials at service delivery points.
As part of ongoing operations targeting various public service delivery points, the Commission on Thursday conducted a successful search operation targeting one Johnson Adera, the Director of Legal Services/ Corporate Secretary of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) who is under investigations over a multi-million bribery scheme involving counterfeit goods.
Confirming the operation on Sunday, the Commission, through Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi, said preliminary investigations established that between the financial years 2019/2020 and 2024/2025, the senior anti-counterfeit official received a cumulative total of KES 40,344,619 in bribes and kickbacks from traders selling counterfeit goods in the country, as an inducement to allow them continue their businesses unchecked and without sanctions, thus jeopardizing the health and safety of citizens.
Adera, who is among several officials under investigation for the bribery scheme facilitating the illicit trade in counterfeit goods, received the bribes and kickbacks directly and through family members and proxies. Some of the funds were channelled to pay school fees for his children and cover utility bills.
After the operation, the suspect was arrested and escorted to EACC Integrity Centre where he was interviewed and later released pending finalization of the investigation. The operation, which targeted the suspect’s premises pursuant to court orders, yielded valuable evidentiary material that will support finalization of the ongoing investigation.
The sale of counterfeit goods endangers lives, undermines legitimate businesses, and diminishes public trust in regulatory institutions. Members of the public should, therefore, remain vigilant and report all such cases to the EACC for action.
During his swearing-in by the Chief Justice at the Supreme Court on January 13, 2025, EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud identified corruption at service delivery points as one of the strategic areas where EACC will intensify action, due to the grave harm that bribery causes to ordinary citizens seeking services.
“Corruption at all levels, whether petty or grand, not only harms the public but also contributes to a culture of impunity that ultimately compromises the delivery of public services. Bribery, especially at service delivery points, poses a serious threat to ordinary citizens, and for this reason, the EACC will tackle it with the same vigor and commitment applied to grand corruption,” CEO Mohamud said.
