Abdi Ahmed set to become new EACC boss

By Peter Ochieng

Abdi Ahmed Mohamud is poised to become the next Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chief Executive Officer.

Mohamud emerged tops during interviews for EACC CEO held this week. EACC chairman David Oginde in a statement on Saturday said Mohamud’s name has been forwarded to the National Assembly for approval.

He has been deputing the outgoing CEO, Twalib Mbarak. “Pursuant to Article 250 [12] of the Constitution as read with Section 16(1) of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2011, the Commission has nominated Mr. Abdi Mohamud, MBS, for approval by the National Assembly as the next EACC CEO,” Oginde said.

He was nominated after a competitive recruitment process involving 14 candidates, shortlisted from 172 applicants.

“Mohamud currently deputises the EACC CEO in the discharge of his statutory, administrative, and policy responsibilities in the Commission's daily operations and management. Before becoming Deputy CEO, he served as the Commission's Director in charge of investigations for over ten years,” Oginde added.

The nominee is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a seasoned investigator with over 30 years of experience, investigating corruption and economic crimes.

He holds a Master of Science Degree in Security and Risk Management.

He started his law enforcement career in 1989 as a Cadet Inspector at the National Police Service, and later joined the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) (now EACC) in 2005 as a Senior Officer in charge of the Commission's Rapid Response Division.

He rose through the ranks to head the Directorate of Investigations and was later appointed Deputy CEO.

Besides the Deputy CEO, others who faced the interviewing panel were: Obadiah Keitany, Stephen Ngowa, Doreen Muthaura, Jackson Mue, Joseph Onyango, Paul Maina, Victor Okongo and Peter Lomulen.

Others were Waweru Karanja, John Ole Moyaki, David Too, Abdi Mohamud, Justa Mwangi and Mohamed Mmaka.

The outgoing Mbarak was appointed by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2019. He will leave office in January, 2025, after 6 years at the helm.