The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested Nairobi County Chief Officer for Urban Development and Planning Patrick Analo Akivaga after detectives reportedly recovered about Sh65.3 million in cash during raids at his residence in Syokimau and from his motor vehicle.
The operation forms part of ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption, abuse of office, bribery, conflict of interest, and possession of unexplained wealth.
According to EACC, the senior county official is under investigation over claims that he accumulated substantial assets that do not match his known sources of income.
Investigators believe that large amounts of money may have been received through suspicious transactions over several financial years, prompting the anti-graft agency to intensify its probe.
During the searches conducted on Thursday, detectives recovered cash that had allegedly been hidden in suitcases and other locations within the residence.
The money was seized as evidence as investigators seek to establish its source and determine whether it is linked to suspected corrupt activities. Other materials considered relevant to the investigations were also collected during the operation.
EACC stated that preliminary findings suggest Akivaga may have received significant sums through multiple cash and mobile money transactions between the 2019/20 and 2025/26 financial years.
The commission says it is examining the transactions alongside his known income and assets to determine whether there is evidence of illicit enrichment.
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Akivaga was taken into custody and is expected to assist investigators as the probe continues. The commission noted that the evidence gathered during the searches will undergo further forensic analysis before a final decision is made on possible prosecution and recovery of any assets found to have been acquired unlawfully.
The arrest has drawn attention because the Urban Development and Planning Department is one of the most influential offices within Nairobi County. The department is responsible for development approvals, planning permissions, building permits, and other key regulatory functions that directly affect growth and investment in the capital.
The developments are likely to increase scrutiny on operations at City Hall, which is headed by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. While neither the governor nor his office has been linked to the allegations facing the chief officer, the investigation has renewed public interest in accountability and transparency within county government departments.
EACC says investigations are ongoing and that appropriate legal action will be taken once the inquiry is completed. The agency has maintained that the crackdown on unexplained wealth and corruption among public officials remains a key part of its mandate.
