The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that it arrested a High Court lawyer and other prominent individuals over an alleged Ksh24.5 million bribery scheme.
The claims spread online on Monday, August 17, with posts alleging that the lawyer had been arrested during an operation by EACC.
According to the posts, the alleged bribe was meant to influence proceedings at the Supreme Court involving impeachment cases against senior public officials.
However, EACC said no such operation had taken place and urged Kenyans not to rely on the information being circulated online.
“Indeed, the Commission wishes to make it clear that there was no such exercise carried out and the statements made are misleading,” read part of the statement released by EACC.
The EACC had noted the claims being made on social media platforms regarding its arrests of a High Court advocate and other individuals for bribery.
These claims came along with a video that was claimed to depict the arrest and interrogation of the lawyer as well as his colleagues by EACC personnel and search through the papers they had in their custody.
However, the EACC denied any involvement in the video and the claims and urged the public to take the information cautiously.
These allegations have come amid political activities surrounding the impeachment of the Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
They also emerged shortly after another document purporting to be from the Judiciary circulated online. The document allegedly linked Gachagua to former Chief Justice David Maraga and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka in efforts to influence court cases involving the impeachment of senior government officials.
The Judiciary has since disowned the document.
Chief Justice Martha Koome distanced her office and the Judiciary from the alleged letter, describing it as misleading and cautioning members of the public against relying on such information.
The latest claims also come as Gachagua continues with his legal challenge over his removal from office.
In June, the High Court upheld his impeachment and declined to overturn his removal from the position of Deputy President. The ruling was delivered by Justices Ogola, Mrima and Mugambi.
Gachagua has since moved to challenge the decision, maintaining his grounds for contesting the impeachment.
As of Monday afternoon, Gachagua had not issued a public statement specifically responding to the alleged EACC arrest claims.
EACC’s clarification means that the alleged Ksh24.5 million bribery arrest should not be treated as an actual anti-corruption operation unless supported by an official statement from the commission.
