Kenya’s anti-graft watchdog significantly intensified its war on corruption in the 2024/25 financial year, nearly tripling successful prosecutions and safeguarding billions in public funds, a new report shows.

According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), 33 individuals were convicted of corruption-related offences over the period—an increase of 175 per cent from the 12 convictions recorded the previous year. Courts handled 54 corruption matters in total, resulting in 33 convictions, 15 acquittals and six withdrawals.

The commission reported that its investigations prevented potential losses amounting to Sh16.5 billion, a dramatic rise from Sh2.9 billion saved the previous year. Out of 4,183 corruption allegations received, 1,846 were escalated for active investigation.

Bribery remained the most widely reported offence, accounting for 37 per cent of cases taken up. Embezzlement of public funds followed at 19 per cent. EACC submitted 175 files to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions—a notable rise from 126 files forwarded in 2023/24.

In total, 838 corruption and economic crime cases were investigated, and 166 integrity tests were administered to public officials.

Asset recovery efforts also strengthened. The commission traced assets worth Sh22.9 billion, up from Sh16 billion the previous year. Preservation orders were secured for properties valued at Sh2.685 billion—more than double the previous year’s figure. A total of 79 recovery suits worth Sh4.8 billion were filed, with Sh3.4 billion in assets reclaimed. Fifty applicants were blocked during integrity vetting, compared to 36 in the preceding year.

Risk assessments across key state institutions—Kenya Power, NSSF and the Kenya Prisons Service—exposed systemic gaps.
Kenya Power was faulted for initiating projects without wayleave agreements, delaying prepaid customer connections and failing to adequately inspect electrical installations.
NSSF could not account for Sh34.7 billion in unclaimed benefits and had not conducted annual general meetings for two consecutive years. It also fell short of implementing mandatory pension transfer requirements.
The Prisons Service lacked essential guidelines for handling contraband, failed to properly classify inmates and had not set up mandatory reception and discharge boards.

To strengthen the legal framework, the commission drafted the Anti-Corruption Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The proposed legislation seeks to fast-track corruption trials and appeals to a six-month limit. It also expands EACC’s investigative powers to include mobile money platforms, call data and non-bank financial institutions.

The bill proposes a 10-year procurement ban for individuals convicted of corruption, clarifies suspension rules for public officers facing conviction, extends preservation orders to 150 days and introduces influence-peddling as a criminal offence.

The Attorney General approved new Model Procedures to guide anti-bribery measures in both the public and private sectors. On June 30, 2025, the Head of Public Service ordered all government bodies to adopt the procedures.

On the prevention front, EACC expanded public engagement, reaching more than 93,000 citizens through market outreaches in multiple counties and 59 shopping centres in Nandi. School programs engaged 742 institutions and over 128,000 learners.

Through the National Integrity Academy, the commission trained 203 integrity assurance officers, 16 Ugandan lawmakers and 20 Kenya National Highways Authority staff on governance, ethics and leadership.

During the year, EACC issued 134 advisories, four notices and 12 cautions to public officers. It processed nearly 34,000 self-declaration forms and conducted 2,783 integrity checks.

Unethical conduct accounted for 13 per cent of all cases investigated, while fraudulent acquisition or disposal of public assets made up 10 per cent. The rest involved procurement breaches, abuse of office, conflict of interest, unexplained wealth and money laundering.

The commission also redirected 377 cases to relevant agencies, advised more than 1,300 complainants and closed 451 matters that required no further action.