The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has dismissed social media claims alleging that it arrested a High Court advocate and other prominent individuals over an alleged Ksh24.5 million bribery scheme.
The claims circulated online on Monday, August 17, with posts suggesting that the lawyer had been arrested during an EACC operation over allegations that he was attempting to influence Supreme Court proceedings involving the impeachment of public officials.
In a statement obtained by Vantage Ke, the anti-graft agency acknowledged the reports but said the alleged operation never took place.
"The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has noted social media posts claiming that it has today arrested an Advocate of the High Court and other prominent persons over alleged bribery," EACC stated.
The video accompanying the claims purportedly showed individuals identified as EACC officials confronting the lawyer and his associates before inspecting documents they were carrying.
The posts further alleged that the main purpose of the purported Ksh24.5 million bribe was to influence the Supreme Court in cases relating to the impeachment of senior public officials.
However, EACC strongly rejected the allegations, describing the reports as false and misleading. "The Commission clarifies that no such operation was conducted and the claims are false and misleading," EACC stated.
The commission urged members of the public to disregard the reports and rely on its official communication for information concerning its investigations and operations.
The claims come amid a wider wave of unverified allegations and documents circulating online concerning the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The alleged EACC arrest also surfaced alongside a purported Judiciary letter circulating on social media, which makes claims that Gachagua was working with former Chief Justice David Maraga and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka to influence cases involving the impeachment of senior government officials.
The developments come as Gachagua pursues a legal challenge against the High Court's June decision by Justices Ogola, Mrima and Mugambi, which upheld his impeachment and rejected his bid to have his removal from office overturned. The judges dismissed the grounds cited for his removal as unfounded.
Chief Justice Martha Koome subsequently distanced her office and the Judiciary from the purported letter, describing it as misleading and urging the public to exercise caution when dealing with such information.
Amid the unfolding developments surrounding the former Deputy President, Gachagua had not publicly commented on the matter by the time of publication.
The authenticity of the purported Judiciary document has not been established, while EACC's statement specifically disowns the alleged bribery operation and arrest.
The commission maintained that it remains committed to providing accurate and timely information to the public as it warned Kenyans against relying on unverified social media reports about its activities.
