The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has challenged Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka to provide substantive evidence after he accused the anti-graft agency of taking bribes and colluding with graft suspects.

Appearing before the Senate Committee probing the Multi-billion Finland scholarships programme, EACC deputy CEO Abdi Mohamud was embroiled in a war of words with Senator Onyonka over the said allegations.

Mohamud claimed that the senator's sentiments risk tarnishing the reputation of EACC.

In response, Senator Onyonka challenged the EACC deputy CEO to reveal before the committee how many cases the agency had investigated, prosecuted and won, a question that went without a substantive answer.

The Senator allegedly claimed that EACC has been receiving money from graft suspects to delay prosecutions or thwart charges.

"On this matter, what EACC wants is the Senator to substantiate his wild and spurious claims against its officials which he has to-date failed to explain,  despite his sustained attacks on the Commission," EACC said in a statement on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

"For months now, the Kisii Senator has relentlessly embarked on a smear campaign against the Commission and its officials through unsubstantiated allegations mainly during his live TV and Radio appearances. This is not only malicious but also unethical and irresponsible".

EACC claimed that Senator Onyonka had overstretched the allegations, noting that Senators have a constitutional obligation to advance public accountability in Kenya and as such, Hon. Onyonka should abandon actions that frustrate the fight against corruption.

"As a Senator, he is, for instance, expected to support strong anti-corruption legislation such as the original version of the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023 which is aimed at taming conflict of interest and theft of public funds in the national and county governments," EACC stated.

"Contrary to the view held by the Senator, EACC has investigated numerous multi-billion graft cases resulting into successful civil recovery suits by the Commission and recommendations, with cogent evidence, for the prosecution of high profile suspects. This information is available in the various EACC Annual and Quarterly Reports submitted to Parliament".