LSK: EACC, ODPP waging war on corruption in media instead of courts
By Kiprono Keileb, August 27, 2025Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has strongly criticised the handling of corruption cases involving state officers, accusing investigative and prosecutorial agencies of engaging in media theatrics rather than pursuing convictions in court.
In a statement shared on her X account on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Odhiambo faulted both the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for what she termed a worrying trend of public spats that undermine the credibility of Kenya’s fight against corruption.
“The back and forth between EACC and ODPP on addressing the recent public allegations of corruption against state officers is concerning. The tenor of the Constitution demands that the independent bodies established by it to undertake investigations do so within the confines of the Constitution and statute,” she said
According to Odhiambo, statements made by the EACC on investigations against certain public and state officers create public anxiety without providing clarity on whether cases have been properly referred to the ODPP for prosecution.
“The public statements by EACC on investigations being undertaken against certain public and state officers are worrying, as they do not result in any public confirmation of the legitimacy of the claims or that they have been referred to the ODPP for prosecution,” she stated.
The LSK president argued that Kenyans have been left with what she called “PR exercises,” which weaken public confidence in key institutions.
“As a result, instead of convictions and asset recovery, Kenyans are forced to settle for PR exercises, which call into question the legitimacy of these critical investigative institutions,” Odhiambo added.
She further cautioned that these public exchanges create false expectations among citizens, often painting individuals as guilty without evidence being tested in court.
“These media frenzies are detrimental as they create a legitimate expectation that proper evidence has been collected to sustain prosecution of perpetrators of corruption even where the same are nothing more than character assassination campaigns and a means of political reprisal,” she noted.
Odhiambo emphasised that corruption is not just a political talking point but a grave crime that must be dealt with firmly within the law.
“Corruption is a crime too serious to only be litigated in the court of public opinion,” she stressed during her remarks at Nation Media Group’s Constitution at 15 event.
Her statement is expected to spark fresh debate on the credibility of Kenya’s anti-graft institutions and whether the war on corruption is being undermined by showmanship rather than serious legal action.