The High Court has issued a temporary order preventing the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) from arresting senior Bomet County officials, including Governor Hillary Barchok, over allegations of corruption amounting to Ksh 1.4 billion.
The ruling, delivered by Bomet Resident Judge Julius Ng’arn’gar, grants Governor Barchok, five senior county officials, and two contractors a 21-day reprieve as investigations continue. The order follows a petition filed by County Secretary Simon Kimutai Langat, who argued that EACC officers were harassing government employees and disrupting county operations.
Governor Barchok and his administration have been under scrutiny for allegedly misappropriating Ksh 1.4 billion meant for county development projects. Sources indicate that the funds were allegedly diverted through inflated procurement deals and ghost projects, prompting the EACC to intervene.
Barchok was arrested earlier this month on February 5, 2025, alongside top officials in his administration, including the County Executive Committee members for finance and procurement. They were released on bail pending investigations, with the EACC maintaining that they had gathered substantial evidence to warrant further action.
The court’s ruling has sparked debate, with anti-corruption advocates arguing that the temporary injunction undermines the fight against graft. However, Barchok’s legal team insists that the EACC’s actions were politically motivated and intended to disrupt county operations.
As the 21-day reprieve unfolds, all eyes will be on the judiciary to determine whether the governor and his team will eventually face prosecution or if they will successfully challenge the corruption allegations in court.
