EACC Recovers Kes 67 Million from Treasury Official in Landmark Anti-Corruption Ruling

In a major win against corruption in the public sector, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered over Kes 67 million fraudulently paid to a senior official at the National Treasury and Planning.

The ruling was delivered today by Hon. Justice Musyoki of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division of the High Court, who found that Faith Jematia Kiptis, a public officer at the Treasury, unlawfully received public funds disguised as taskforce allowances, facilitation, entertainment, and extraneous payments—none of which were approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Key Orders from the Court:

• Refund of Kes 67,664,975 to the government

• Forfeiture of funds in her Equity Bank (Kes 2.4 million) and KCB (Kes 6.3 million) accounts

• Payment of accrued interest on the total amount until full recovery

• Coverage of legal costs incurred in the suit

Investigations by EACC revealed that between January 2020 and June 2022, Kiptis received unjustified and overlapping allowances far exceeding the limits set by public service guidelines. Many of the payments went beyond her job group entitlements and lacked requisite authorization from the SRC.

The court strongly reaffirmed the binding nature of the SRC’s advisory role, noting that its recommendations must be followed in determining public officer compensation. It further criticized the National Treasury for authorizing payments outside the lawful framework, undermining fiscal accountability.

This recovery forms part of a wider probe by EACC that has so far reclaimed over Kes 174 million from National Treasury officials involved in similar fraudulent allowance schemes.“This ruling sends a clear message: no public officer is above the law, and public resources must be managed with integrity,” EACC said in a statement following the judgment. “We remain committed to ensuring accountability and protecting taxpayers’ money.”

The commission has vowed to continue its recovery efforts and pursue both criminal and civil action against public officials involved in the misuse of government funds.