The High Court has declined to grant Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok protection from arrest and detention, paving the way for his prosecution over corruption-related charges.
Barchok had moved to court shortly after presenting himself at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) offices on Thursday, alongside former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati. But in a swift ruling delivered the same day, the court rejected his application to stop investigators from detaining or charging him.
The governor is facing serious accusations following a directive by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga, who on August 28 announced that Barchok would be prosecuted over conflict of interest and other economic crimes.
According to the DPP, investigations revealed that the governor allegedly received Ksh2.75 million from companies that did business with Bomet County between the 2019/2020 and 2024/2025 financial years. Ingonga added that Barchok will face trial alongside Evans Kipkoech Korir, the director of Chemasus Construction Limited.
The two are expected to answer to charges of conflict of interest, money laundering, unlawful acquisition of public property, and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
The ruling now clears the path for the EACC to arraign the governor, marking a fresh test of Kenya’s resolve to hold senior political leaders accountable in corruption cases that have often dragged on without convictions.
