The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has revealed that there have been over 300 fake detectives linked to the Commission in 2024.
Speaking to the media in Diani, Kwale County, the Commission Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said the fraudsters posing as its detectives resulted in conning unsuspecting Kenyans pretending to be carrying out investigations against them.
He cited four categories of the EACC imposters including those reported in Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia counties.
He said these persons have established fake EACC offices and claimed to be offering EACC services.
"For instance, in Busia, an entity by the name Anti-Corruption Investigations Agency has allegedly been receiving money from the public to address corruption-related conflicts and even puts a caveat on land," he said.
He also cited some of the imposters who issue fake EACC Integrity Clearance for candidates seeking employment at a fee, a service ordinarily offered by the Commission free of charge.
Others, Ngumbi said, carry out investigations, arrests and search operations on their targets then demand huge bribes promising to skew the investigations in their favour or waive potential criminal charges.
The other category is that of alleged EACC detectives who invade people’s business premises claiming that they are inspecting compliance with various licensing requirements or counterfeit goods.
Ngumbi said the imposters have mainly been targeting State Officers in the national government, county officials, school principals and National Government Administration Officers.
They have also been targeting private business operators, with many having lost millions of shillings.
Ngumbi said for school principals, the imposters focus on allegations of illegal fees charges, procurement and financial management issues.
Additionally, for the counties, they target officials working in revenue collection while for the National Government Administration officers, the fraudsters focus on alleged corruption.
Ngumbi urged Kenyans to stay vigilant and report anytime they suspect they are being conned.