NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 17 – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has denied reports that it arrested a lawyer representing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over an alleged Sh24.5 million bribery scheme targeting the Supreme Court.

📻 Breaking It Down

The anti-graft agency said no such operation was conducted on Monday, dismissing social media reports claiming that a High Court advocate and other prominent individuals had been arrested.

“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,” the commission said.

“The Commission clarifies that no such operation was conducted and the claims are false and misleading.”

📌 What You Need to Know

The clarification followed the circulation of a video and posts purporting to show EACC officers arresting Gachagua’s lawyer and searching documents in his possession.

The reports alleged that the lawyer was being investigated over a Sh24.5 million bribe allegedly intended to influence proceedings before the Supreme Court, particularly a case concerning the eligibility of impeached public officials to contest elective office.

The purported operation quickly gained traction on social media, with the claims presenting the alleged arrest as an EACC crackdown on attempts to influence the outcome of the politically sensitive court proceedings.

However, EACC said the alleged operation never took place and urged Kenyans not to rely on the posts.

The commission did not name the lawyer in its statement but the social media reports identified him as an advocate representing Gachagua.

The claims come against the backdrop of heightened political and legal interest in a constitutional petition before the Supreme Court seeking clarity on whether public officials removed from office through impeachment can subsequently seek elective office.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya