DPP Orders Prosecution of Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok Over Alleged Graft
Bomet County Governor Hillary Barchok has been formally ordered to face prosecution following allegations of conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public property. The directive, issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Thursday, August 28, 2025, comes after a detailed investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed that Barchok allegedly received KSh 2.75 million from companies trading with the county between the 2019/2020 and 2024/2025 financial years.
The charges, outlined under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, also implicate Evans Kipkoech Korir, Director of Chemasus Construction Limited, and the company itself. According to the DPP, the funds were obtained irregularly and represent proceeds of crime. Barchok is accused of benefiting personally from county contracts, including payments from contractors linked to county infrastructure projects, in a manner that violated procurement laws and ethical standards.
The prosecution of Barchok is part of a wider crackdown on county-level corruption. The DPP confirmed that similar charges have been recommended for former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and a host of county officials and contractors implicated in the embezzlement of over KSh 70 million. Additionally, investigations are ongoing into Kiambu Governor Paul Kimani Wamatangi and Marsabit Governor Mohamed Mohamud Ali for alleged multi-billion shilling procurement irregularities involving companies linked to their families. EACC investigators assert that these schemes involved systematic fronting of tenders to companies controlled by relatives, with proceeds allegedly diverted into personal accounts.
County leaders, civil society groups, and anti-corruption advocates have welcomed the DPP’s move, citing it as a crucial step toward accountability and transparency in devolved governance. Analysts note that these prosecutions, if effectively pursued, could strengthen public trust in government institutions and deter mismanagement of public funds. The Bomet case, in particular, has heightened scrutiny over county procurement and governance practices, with residents calling for full disclosure of all stalled projects and financial flows. With courts now set to hear the charges, the outcome will signal Kenya’s commitment to curbing graft at both county and national levels.