Kenya's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered approximately Shs1.9 billion in cash during a search operation at the residence of a senior Nairobi County Government official.
The Thursday operation was part of investigations into alleged corruption and economic crimes across Kenya.
On Thursday, the commission said the search had been conducted at the residence of Patrick Analo Akivaga, the Chief Officer for Urban Development and Planning at the Nairobi City County Government.
According to video clips making rounds on social media, detectives were seen checking the lavish mansion, and later leaving with suitcases of money.
The operation, carried out in Syokimau, Machakos County, forms part of ongoing investigations into allegations of conflict of interest, abuse of office, bribery and possession of unexplained assets in Kenya.
The Commission said the investigations followed allegations of conflict of interest, abuse of office, bribery, and possession of unexplained assets against Mr. Patrick Analo Akivaga.
"It is alleged that Mr. Akivaga receives millions of shillings in cash and M-Pesa deposits,” the EACC said.
According to the anti-graft agency, investigators recovered KES51.3 million and $113,000 (about Shs407 million), bringing the total cash recovered to approximately KES65.3 million, equivalent to about Shs1.9 billion.
“Today's operation yielded valuable evidentiary material to support the ongoing investigations, including KES 51,300,000 and 113,000 US Dollars totaling Kshs 65,300,000 recovered at his residence in Syokimau within Machakos County and in his motor vehicle's boot,” the commission said.
The EACC further alleged that the suspect had amassed wealth far beyond his known legitimate sources of income.
“Further, it is alleged that the suspect has accumulated immense assets that are disproportionate to his known legitimate sources of income,” the statement added.
Besides the cash, investigators seized several title deeds, motor vehicle log books, laptops, land and vehicle sale agreements, approval plans from Nairobi County Government, mobile phones, iPads and other documentary evidence believed to be relevant to the probe.
The commission said the materials recovered would aid investigations and could form the basis for criminal prosecution and asset recovery proceedings.
“Upon conclusion of the investigations, the findings will inform appropriate action, including prosecution and the recovery of unexplained wealth and proceeds of corruption,” the EACC said.
The raid comes against the backdrop of persistent concerns over corruption in Kenya despite years of governance reforms.
According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2025, released in February this year, Kenya scored 30 out of 100, down from 32 the previous year, ranking 130th out of 180 countries surveyed globally.
Recent integrity and public policy reports estimate that Kenya loses more than $4.5 billion (approx.Shs1.7 trillion) annually through corruption, illicit financial flows and graft.
Analysts have also pointed to public spending inefficiencies that reportedly cost the country up to KES650 billion every year, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing anti-corruption agencies.
The latest recovery is likely to intensify public scrutiny of corruption allegations involving public officials as authorities continue efforts to trace and recover suspected proceeds of graft.