Trade CS revokes appointment of former Tigania East MP as ACA chair after bribery scandal
By Kenneth Mwenda, November 29, 2025Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has revoked the appointment of former Tigania East MP Josephat Gichunge Mwirabua Kabeabea as Chairperson and member of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) Board. The decision came less than a month after Kabeabea’s arrest over claims of demanding bribes from businessmen.
In a gazette notice dated November 28, 2025, CS Kinyanjui removed Kabeabea from the authority, citing powers under the Anti-Counterfeit Act and the Interpretation and General Provisions Act.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (a) and (h) of the Anti-Counterfeit Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry revokes the appointment of Josephat Gichunge Mwirabua Kabeabea… with effect from the 28th November, 2025,” the notice reads.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested Kabeabea on November 14 after officers raided his residence.
According to the charge sheet, Kabeabea demanded Ksh5 million from Du Zhisheng with the intent that, in consequence, he would forbear arresting and charging him (Du Zhisheng) for purportedly trading in counterfeited motor vehicle spare parts.
On another count, on the same date, the accused is said to have also requested another bribe of Ksh1 million, promising to block Du Zhisheng from being arrested for trading counterfeit motor vehicle spare parts.
“On November 11, 2025, within the Republic of Kenya, being a public officer, to wit, the Chairperson, Board of Directors – Anti-Counterfeit Authority, you requested a financial advantage of Ksh1,000,000 from Du Zhisheng, with intent that, in consequence, you would forbear arresting and charging Du Zhisheng for purportedly trading in counterfeited motor vehicle spare parts,” part of the charges read.
In addition, the accused is said to have also asked for another bribe of Ksh300,000 from the businessman on the same date.
Notably, the prosecution states that on the same day, the accused received a financial advantage of Ksh144,500 from Du Zhisheng through Ntorui Erastus Kaibi’s mobile phone number, 07**66, as a bribe for him to block his arrest and charging.
On count five, Kabeabea has been charged with acquisition of proceeds of crime contrary to Section 16(1) of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, CAP 59A.
“On November 11, 2025, within the Republic of Kenya, you acquired a sum of Ksh144,500 from Du Zhisheng through Ntorui Erastus Kaibi’s mobile phone number whilst knowing or having reason to believe that the said money formed part of or was the proceeds of a crime, to wit, money obtained through bribery,” part of the charges read.
The accused has also been charged with an alternative charge of his phone number being in possession of Ksh144,500, money received from the businessman whilst knowing that the said money formed part of or was proceeds of crime, to wit, money obtained through bribery.
Appearing before Milimani Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Celesa Okore on Monday, November 17, 2025, Kabeabea denied all the charges, and a plea of not guilty was entered.
The court has released the accused on a Ksh2 million bond with an alternative of Ksh1 million cash bail.
“The accused person is released on a bond of Ksh2 million with one security of the same amount, with an alternative of Ksh1 million cash bail,” Magistrate Okore ordered.
Further, the court directed the accused to deposit his passport in court within 14 days and also barred him from interfering with witnesses.
Political journey and leadership
Kabeabea served as the Member of Parliament for Tigania East from 2017 to 2022.
He first came into national focus in 2022, when unknown youths torched his car on the final day of campaigns during the general election. He later lost his parliamentary seat.
Despite the loss, he made his way back into public service in February 2023. President William Ruto appointed him as Chairperson of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, giving him control over a key agency that monitors and regulates counterfeit goods in Kenya.
Kabeabea is trained in land management and social sciences. He holds a Master of Science degree from Makerere University, obtained between 2005 and 2008. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree from the same institution.