The Chief Executive Officer of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Abdi Mohamud, has been elected president of Eastern Africa Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, marking a significant moment for Kenya leadership in regional anti-corruption efforts.
Mohamud formally assumed the role on Friday following the conclusion of the association 16th Annual General Meeting held in Nairobi from 20 April 2026 to 24 April 2026. His election comes after serving two years as vice president of the regional body.
He succeeds Naluzze Aisha Batala, whose tenure was widely credited with strengthening cooperation among anti-corruption agencies across Eastern Africa. Delegates at the meeting commended her commitment to fostering collaboration and advancing joint strategies in tackling corruption.
Mohamud elevation is expected to reinforce Kenya role in shaping anti-graft policy and coordination across the region. The leadership shift reflects growing emphasis on unified approaches to combating corruption, which continues to undermine economic growth and governance in several countries.
In his acceptance remarks, Mohamud expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by member institutions and pledged to build on the progress achieved under his predecessor.
He outlined key priorities for his tenure, including strengthening mutual legal assistance frameworks and improving intelligence sharing among member states. He emphasized the need for coordinated investigations and joint operations to address cross-border corruption schemes.
Mohamud also called for the harmonization of anti-corruption laws and policies across Eastern Africa, noting that disparities in legal frameworks often hinder effective enforcement. Enhanced alignment, he said, would enable faster prosecutions and improved asset recovery efforts.
Additionally, he highlighted the importance of peer learning and technical exchange programmes as critical tools for building institutional capacity and improving efficiency among anti-corruption agencies.
A key initiative during his tenure will be the launch of the Centre for Research on Ethics and Anti-Corruption scheduled for June 2026 in Nairobi. The centre is expected to serve as a hub for evidence-based research to inform policy, prevention strategies and enforcement mechanisms.
Mohamud described the upcoming launch as a milestone for the region and urged stakeholders to actively support and participate in its development. He said the centre would promote innovation, knowledge sharing and data-driven decision making in the fight against corruption.
The 16th Annual General Meeting brought together representatives from eight East African countries and featured engagements including the 31st Executive Committee Meeting, Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Eastern Africa discussions, the 8th Asset Recovery Workshop and a regional anti-corruption conference.
The sessions provided a platform for experience sharing, capacity building and strengthening institutional networks. Participants emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration to address emerging corruption risks including illicit financial flows and procurement fraud.
Mohamud said his election signals a renewed commitment to stronger regional coordination with a focus on enhancing policy influence, operational synergy and the global positioning of Eastern Africa anti-corruption agenda.
