Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud says the commission remains independent in the fight against corruption.

In an interview on Wednesday, January 29, the commission’s boss Abdi Mohamud responded to criticism over several high-profile corruption cases being dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Mohamud said the commission operates independently in its work.

 “We do not follow what politicians say. This is an independent organisation constituted by the Constitution of Kenya. Politics is not our business. Our role is to deal with offenses committed by public officers in the course of their duties,” he said.

He also dismissed claims that prominent figures evade prosecution while smaller offenders face harsher penalties.

 “Currently, we have nine former governors in court facing either criminal charges, civil recovery cases, or both,” he noted.

DPP has dropped several cases involving influential individuals, including one in October 2022 against former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa, who faced a Sh19 million corruption charge. 

The DPP cited unspecified orders for the withdrawal, though charges against her co-accused continued.

In November 2022, the DPP also withdrew charges against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over a Sh7.3 billion corruption case, citing insufficient evidence. 

A Sh400 million corruption case against former Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) Managing Director Ben Chumo was similarly dropped.

Mohamud stressed that the decision to prosecute lies solely with the DPP. “As EACC, we have done our job and will continue to do so,” he said.