Court freezes new KEBS boss Jeremiah Kamau Kinyua’s Sh278 million in unexplained wealth

The High Court has placed a freeze on more than 19 assets that belong to the new board chairman of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs), Jeremiah Kamau Kinyua. The total value of these properties is estimated to be KES 278 million.

It is believed that the riches were obtained by taking bribes when the individual was employed at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

The position of chairwoman of the National Standards Council, the policy-setting agency for Kebs, which is at the centre of a sugar controversy, was given to Kinyua in January by Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria. Kinyua was nominated to this position by Moses Kuria.

The EACC has been undertaking investigations while ensuring that the assets are protected by using a restraining order that was imposed in May 2022.

Like in the Waititu case, the assets will stay frozen until the forfeiture lawsuit is filed by EACC on May 12, 2023, after the matter has been completely heard and adjudicated, as a result of fresh instructions issued by Justice Esther Maina.