The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has executed a significant strategic reshuffle of its top investigations and asset recovery leadership. In a move described by CEO Abdi Mohamud as a bid to "streamline operations and boost efficiency," the commission has swapped the roles of key directors, signaling a fresh approach to its intensifying war on graft.

Personnel is policy. By rotating the commanders in the trenches of the anti-corruption war, the EACC is attempting to break bureaucratic inertia and inject new energy into its most critical departments. The timing—amidst a public clamor for high-profile convictions—suggests a desire for sharper, faster results.

The New Line-Up

The most notable change involves the Director of Investigations, Paschal Mweu, who has been transferred to head the Ethics and Leadership Directorate. His shoes will be filled by John Lolkolai, who moves from Ethics and Leadership to take the hot seat as the new Director of Investigations. This swap places a fresh pair of eyes on the commission’s active case files.

Further down the chain, the changes ripple through the asset tracing and forensic units. Deputy Director of Asset Tracing George Ojowi has been redeployed to the field as the South Nyanza Regional Manager, while Ignatius Wekesa moves to headquarters as the Deputy Director of Forensic Investigations. These moves are designed to balance headquarters strategy with regional operational strength.

Routine or Strategic?

While Mohamud characterized the changes as "routine internal adjustments," the scope suggests a deliberate recalibration. The commission has been under pressure to deliver on asset recovery, a core pillar of its mandate. In 2024 alone, the EACC recovered assets worth Sh5 billion. The leadership changes seem geared towards sustaining and exceeding this momentum.

• Top Swap: John Lolkolai takes over as the new Director of Investigations.
• Asset Focus: Key deputies in Asset Tracing and Forensics redeployed for efficiency.
• Track Record: Reshuffle comes after a year of recovering Sh5bn in stolen assets.

The Road Ahead

As the new team settles in at the Integrity Centre, the public expectation remains unchanged: arrests, convictions, and the recovery of stolen public funds. The effectiveness of this reshuffle will not be measured by internal memos, but by the number of high-impact corruption cases successfully prosecuted in the coming months.