Nairobi, Kenya – July 16, 2025

EACC Recovers KSh 67.66 Million From Treasury Official in Major Anti-Corruption Ruling

In a major breakthrough for Kenya’s anti-graft efforts, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has announced the recovery of KSh 67.66 million from a National Treasury official who was found to have received unauthorized payments in breach of public service remuneration guidelines.

The High Court ruling, issued on July 16, concluded that the official had illegally received payments for task force duties, entertainment expenses, and other allowances not covered by the official salary structure. The court not only ordered a full refund of KSh 67,664,975, but also directed the forfeiture of an additional KSh 2.44 million and KSh 6.32 million held in two separate bank accounts.

The judgment marks a significant legal precedent, reaffirming the binding authority of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in setting public sector compensation limits. EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak welcomed the decision, stating, “This ruling sends an unmistakable signal: no public official is above the law, and all illicitly acquired public funds will be pursued and reclaimed.”

According to the EACC, this case is part of a wider crackdown on irregular allowances, a growing source of concern within Kenya’s public sector. The commission revealed that it has recovered over KSh 174 million in similar cases in recent months and has filed additional suits against other officials who allegedly benefited from overlapping or unauthorized payments.

The recovery has been hailed as a critical win in the battle against systemic corruption, especially within government financial institutions. Transparency watchdogs have long warned that unchecked per diems, duplicated travel allowances, and vague “task force” bonuses are being exploited as loopholes to siphon public funds.

The EACC says it will intensify asset tracing and civil recovery actions going forward, emphasizing that the integrity of the public payroll system is key to restoring trust in government institutions. As anti-corruption efforts gain momentum, the case highlights the importance of judicial independence and inter-agency cooperation in enforcing accountability and fiscal discipline.