The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has vehemently denied allegations that its detectives are weaponizing graft probes to settle political scores in Northern Kenya.

In a heated press briefing on Thursday, EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud termed the accusations "baseless propaganda" meant to intimidate investigators closing in on high-profile thieves. The denial comes amidst a coordinated pushback by leaders from Marsabit and Mandera, who claim their counties are being unfairly targeted by the state machinery.

The Eye of the Storm

The controversy stems from a leaked internal memo allegedly prioritizing investigations into three Northern governors suspected of siphoning KSh 4.2 billion in equalization funds. Mohamud clarified that the commission follows the evidence, not the map. He insisted that the "regional profiling" narrative is a smokescreen used by looting elites to whip up ethnic emotions and derail justice.

"Corruption has no tribe, and neither does the law," Mohamud stated, slamming his hand on the podium. "When public funds meant for water pans in arid lands are used to buy apartments in Kilimani, we do not ask where the thief comes from. We ask where the money went."

• The Statistics: The EACC released data showing that out of 145 active high-impact cases, only 12% involve officials from Northern Kenya, while 35% are centered in Nairobi and Kiambu.
• The Trigger: The uproar was sparked by the recent arrest of a senior Marsabit official found with KSh 18 million in cash stashed in his home.
• The Defense: Lawyers for the accused argue that the EACC is ignoring "state capture" scandals in the capital to focus on "soft targets" in the periphery.

A Political Minefield

Analysts warn that the EACC is walking a tightrope. With the 2027 election cycle already looming, every arrest is viewed through a political lens. The leaders from the North have threatened to withdraw support for the government if the "harassment" continues, turning a judicial process into a high-stakes political bargaining chip.

The commission, however, remains defiant. Mohamud announced that six more files have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), promising a "season of accountability" that will spare no one, regardless of their zip code or political affiliation.