EACC nominates Abdi Mohamud as new CEO to replace Twalib Mbarak

 Abdi Ahmed Mohamud. [Standard, File]

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has nominated Abdi Ahmed Mohamud to replace outgoing Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak.

EACC Chairperson David Oginde announced the nomination in a notification dated Friday, 22 November 2024, noting that the decision followed a competitive recruitment process involving interviews with 14 shortlisted candidates.

Among those shortlisted were Stephen Ngowa, Doreen Muthaura, Jackson Mue, Joseph Onyango, Paul Maina, Victor Okongo, Peter Lomulen, and Obadiah Keitany.

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

Ngowa, Muthaura, Mue, Onyango, and Maina were interviewed on Tuesday morning at the Public Service Commission (PSC) House in Nairobi by EACC commissioners led by Oginde.

Okongo, Lomulen, Keitany, Moyaki, and Too were interviewed on Wednesday, while Mohamud, Mwangi, Mmaka, and Karanja faced interviews on Thursday.

 Mohamud, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, is an experienced investigator with more than 30 years in handling corruption and economic crimes cases.

He began his law enforcement career in 1989 as a Cadet Inspector in the Kenya Police Service.

In 2005, he joined the then Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), now EACC, as a senior officer in charge of the Rapid Response Division and rose to lead the Directorate of Investigation.

 He holds a Master of Science in Security and Risk Management from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, a Bachelor of Laws from Mt. Kenya University, and a Professional Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.

 “The Commission reviewed 172 applications for the position before shortlisting candidates, with interviews held from Tuesday, November 19 to Thursday, November 21,” said Oginde.

 He explained that Mohamud, currently serving as the deputy CEO, will now face vetting by the National Assembly in line with the law.

 The vacancy was advertised on Tuesday, September 17, with applications closing on Monday, October 7.

 EACC, established under Article 79 of the Constitution and the EACC Act of 2011, is tasked with combating corruption, promoting ethics, and enforcing anti-corruption laws in Kenya.

 Mbarak, who has served as CEO since January 2019, will conclude his six-year term in January 2025.