TOLL FREE:

1551

Report Corruption

Our History

Home
History
1956
The relatively young nation of Kenya has experienced a tumultuous history in the fight against graft. The country’s anti-corruption legislation dates back to 1956 with the enactment of the now defunct Prevention of Corruption Act (formerly Cap. 65, LOK). This statute was in operation from August 1956 to May 2003.
1993
Initially, the Prevention of Corruption Act (Cap. 65) was enforced by the Police Department, notably the Anti-Corruption Squad constituted in 1993. The Squad was however disbanded in 1995 before it could make any significant impact.
1997
Amendment of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Cap 65, LOK) in early 1997 led to the creation of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Authority (KACA), whose first director was John Harun Mwau. He was appointed Director in December 1997.
1998
After only six months in office, Mwau was suspended and later removed in 1998 through a Judicial Tribunal appointed by the then President Daniel T. arap Moi. Justice Aaron G. Ringera was appointed to replace him in March 1999.
2000
On December 22, 2000, the High Court in the case of Gachiengo V Republic (2000) 1 EA 52(CAK) made a ruling that the existence of KACA undermined the powers conferred on both the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police by the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya. In addition, the High Court further held that the statutory provisions establishing the Authority were in conflict with the Constitution. That spelt the death of KACA and the various efforts in the fight against corruption in
2001
The Anti-Corruption Police Unit (ACPU) was created by Executive Order in August 2001. ACPU, which operated under the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police took over KACA’s mantle in September 2001 and performed this function until creation of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC). KACC was a public body established under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA) No. 3 of 2003 on 2nd May 2003.
2003
These two legislations became operational on 2nd May 2003. Section 70 of the (ACECA) repealed the Prevention of Corruption Act (Cap. 65).
2009
Following parliamentary pressure in July 2009, Justice Ringera was forced to resign from office together with Ms. Sichale and Dr. Wanjala, paving way for appointment of Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba to take office in September 2010. Prof. Jane Onsongo (Preventive Services) and Mr. Pravin Bowry (Legal Services) joined the existing team of Dr. Mutonyi and Wilson Shollei as KACC assistant directors
2011
The EACC was established on 5th September 2011 and Commissioners Irene Keino (Ms.) and Prof. Jane K. Onsongo (Mrs.) appointed on 11th May 2012. Pursuant to Article 79 of the Constitution, Parliament disbanded KACC on 24th August 2011 through enactment of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act (EACC), 2011. The EACC was established on 5th September 2011 and Commissioners Irene Keino (Ms.) and Prof. Jane K. Onsongo appointed on 11th May 2012 and later
2013
Following the establishment of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in 2012 to replace the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, Halakhe D. Waqo was appointed as its pioneering Secretary/CEO in January 2013. His appointment brought valuable experience to the commission, including his roles as Chair of the Investigations and Prosecution Multi-Agencies' Team and membership in prestigious organizations like the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
2015
This Commissions’ life was also short lived . Between March and May 2015 Commissioner Jane Onsongo, Vice Chair Irene Keino and the Chairperson Mr. Mumo Matemu tendered their resignations as EACC Commissioners. In November 2015, President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated new Commissioners headed by Mr. Philip K.B. Kinisu, as Chairman, Commissioners Sophia Lepuchirit, Dr. Dabar Maalim, Paul Gachoka, and Rose Mghoi- Macharia who were sworn into office on 18th January 2016. Commissioner Sophia Lepuchirit is the Vice Chairperson
2016
In August 2016, Mr. Kinisu tendered his resignation from the Commission. Vice-Chairperson, Ms. Sophia Lepuchirit became the Acting Chairperson.
2017
On 23rd January 2017, the former Head of the Anglican Church in Kenya, Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala was sworn in as the third EACC Chairperson, a position he holds to date.
2019
Mr. Twalib Abdallah Mbarak formally took office as the EACC Secretary/Chief Executive Officer following his swearing-in on 14th January, 2019. He is the Commission’s second Head of the Secretariat, having taken over from Mr. Halakhe D. Waqo whose six-year term ended in January, 2019.

Search our site

No Search Query Added